The association between television viewing and preschool child body mass index : a systematic review of english papers published from 1995 to 2010

This paper is a conceptual and methodological review of the literature on the impact of TV on preschoolers' weight status. A systematic search, of papers published between January 1995 and January 2010, identified twenty-six relevant studies. Fifteen of these were cross-sectional in design and eleven adopted a prospective design; a positive association between hours of TV and child adiposity was found in all but three studies. Although assessed in a limited number of studies, diet may mediate the relationship between TV viewing and BMI. Another likely mediator may be the content of TV programs watched; only three studies examined this association and findings were inconsistent. Our review revealed that research examining mediating effects is limited, focusing more on simple cross-sectional or prospective relationships between TV habits and child body mass index. Further investigation of the mechanisms by which TV viewing affects preschool weight gain is needed.

Parental influences on the diets of 2-5 year-old children : systematic review of interventions

During the early years, parents have a major influence on their children's diets, food choices and development of eating habits. However, research concerning the influence of parental feeding practices on young children's diets is limited. This paper presents a systematic review of intervention studies with parents of preschool children. The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of interventions that target parent nutrition knowledge and/or parenting practices with parents of young children aged two to five years in the development of healthy dietary habits. Seventeen studies were identified. Findings highlight the limited number of good quality studies in this age group. Limitations include design inconsistency and a lack of longitudinal data to evaluate sustainability. Research on parental understanding of healthy diets and specific parenting styles and feeding practices is lacking. Further insights into how parents can positively influence children's diets will come from quality longitudinal research examining both parent feeding practices and nutrition knowledge in this age group.

Parental influences of the diets of 2-5-year-old children: systematic review of interventions

During the early years, parents have a major influence on their children’s diets, food choices and development of eating habits. However, research concerning the influence of parental feeding practices on young children’s diets is limited. This paper presents a systematic review of intervention studies with parents of preschool children. The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of interventions that target parent nutrition knowledge and/or parenting practices with parents of young children aged two to five years in the development of healthy dietary habits. Seventeen studies were identified. Findings highlight the limited number of good quality studies in this age group. Limitations include design inconsistency and a lack of longitudinal data to evaluate sustainability. Research on parental understanding of healthy diets and specific parenting styles and feeding practices is lacking. Further insights into how parents can positively influence children’s diets will come from quality longitudinal research examining both parent feeding practices and nutrition knowledge in this age group.

Young learners : teachers' questions and prompts as opportunities for children's language development

One highly regarded context for language learning is book reading, as teachers engage children in discussions around texts read. However, there is considerable variation in teachers’ patterns of talk that mediate this learning with preschool children’s oral language development dependent on the opportunities for engagement in language use provided by teachers. To explore the affordances of talk interactions within book reading a systematic analysis of teachers’ questions and children’s responses was undertaken. Results of this analysis show that the highest proportion of questions asked by this group of 18 preschool teachers were closed questions with a small proportion of open teaching questions asked. However, while open questions provided the most substantial opportunities for children’s extended talk, the range of questions asked provided opportunities for preschool teachers to extend children’s responses, support children’s understanding of the text, develop vocabulary and world knowledge, and to model more complex language structures.

Prospective evaluation of respiratory exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis from newborn screening to 5 years of age

Background Newborn screening allows novel treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF) to be trialled in early childhood before irreversible lung injury occurs. As respiratory exacerbations are a potential trial outcome variable, we determined their rate, duration and clinical features in preschool children with CF; and whether they were associated with growth, lung structure and function at age 5 years. Methods: Respiratory exacerbations were recorded prospectively in Australasian CF Bronchoalveolar Lavage trial subjects from enrolment after newborn screening to age 5 years, when all participants underwent clinical assessment, chest CT scans and spirometry. Results 168 children (88 boys) experienced 2080 exacerbations, at an average rate of 3.66 exacerbations per person-year; 80.1% were community managed and 19.9% required hospital admission. There was an average increase in exacerbation rate of 9% (95% CI 4% to 14%; p<0.001) per year of age. Exacerbation rate differed by site (p<0.001) and was 26% lower (95% CI 12% to 38%) in children receiving 12 months of prophylactic antibiotics. The rate of exacerbations in the first 2 years was associated with reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 s z scores. Ever having a hospitalmanaged exacerbation was associated with bronchiectasis (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.13 to 6.31) in chest CT scans, and lower weight z scores at 5 years of age (coefficient -0.39, 95% CI -0.74 to -0.05). Conclusions Respiratory exacerbations in young children are markers for progressive CF lung disease and are potential trial outcome measures for novel treatments in this age group.

Parental influences on the diets of 2- to 5-year-old children: systematic review of qualitative research

Parents have a major influence on young children's diets, food choices and habit formation. However, research concerning parental influence on children's diets is limited. Qualitative research informs quantitative research with a narrative of 'what works' and is a valuable tool to inform intervention design and practice. This article presents a systematic review of qualitative research with parents of preschool children and their influence on their child's diet. Nine studies were identified. Findings highlight the need to promote culturally tailored programmes to combat specific cultural differences such as attitudes; perceptions and concerns; address common barriers to providing healthy foods and challenges faced by lower income families; the use of food to shape a child's behaviour; that children will grow out of excess weight; common misconceptions such as a heavier child is healthier and depriving a child's food request could result in starvation. Research on parental understanding of healthy diets and feeding practices is lacking. Further insights into how to positively influence children's diets will come from research examining parent feeding practices and nutrition knowledge. © The Author(s) 2013.

An educational programme for parents on the body image of preschool-aged boys

This study was designed to increase parents' awareness of their role in their preschool child's body image and increase positive body image attitudes. In total, 118 parents (54 intervention, 64 control) of boys aged -3-6 years completed a two-session educational workshop. At post-test and the 3 months' follow-up, parents in the intervention group compared to the control group reported a greater level of perceived knowledge on how they may influence their son's body image and a greater level of body appreciation. These results indicate that educational workshops are effective in improving parents' knowledge to improve their son's body image.

Longitudinal levels and bouts of objectively measured sedentary time among young Australian children in the HAPPY study

To examine differences in sedentary time and bouts during and outside of childcare/school periods, and changes in sedentary time and bouts over 1-year among children who remained in childcare (childcare subsample) and among those who transitioned to school (school transition subsample).

Sucrose and lollypops to reduce immunisation pain in toddlers and young children: two pilot randomised controlled trials

Aims To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of sweet taste in reducing pain in toddlers and pre-school children during immunisation and to use the results to inform a sample size estimation for future full-scale trials. Background Sweet solutions reduce procedural pain in newborn infants and in infants beyond the newborn period. It is unclear if sweet taste continues to reduce procedural pain in children older than one year of age. Design Two parallel design pilot randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methods Children attending an Immunisation Drop-in Clinic at a children's hospital in Australia participated in one of two pilot RCTs: 1) a double-blinded RCT of 33% sucrose compared to water in toddlers receiving their 12- or 18-month immunisation or 2) a non-blinded RCT of lollypop compared to standard care (active distraction using bubble and pin wheel blowing) in pre-school children aged 3-5 years. Primary outcomes included cry incidence and duration and pain score using the FLACC. Results Interventions, standard care and all aspects of the study were acceptable to children, parents and immunisation nurses. More toddlers in the sucrose group received their 12-month immunisation and more injections (n=35) compared to toddlers randomised to water (n=26). There were no significant differences in crying time or pain scores between intervention and control groups in either pilot RCT. Conclusion The study interventions are acceptable to children and parents. Full-scale trials would be feasible to conduct. Implications for clinical practice Toddlers receiving their 12-month immunisation should be the focus of future full-scale RCTs.

Associations between skill perceptions and young children's actual fundamental movement skills

-Given that children with low movement skill competence engage in less physical activity, it is important to understand how children's perceptions relate to actual movement competence. This study examined relationships between (i) children's self-perception and objective assessments of their movement skills (object control and locomotor) and (ii) parents' perceptions of the children's movement skills and objective assessment. Children's skill perceptions were assessed using the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children. Parent perceptions of their child's skills were assessed using a modified version of this instrument. The Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd edition assessed children's skills objectively. Participants were 136 Australian children (51% boys; M = 6.5 yr., SD = 1.1) and 133 parents. Regression analyses (by sex) examined the relationship between perceptions and children's scores for actual skilled performance. Boys' perceptions were associated with their actual object control ability. Parents accurately perceived boys' object control ability and girls' locomotor ability, but not the reverse. This suggests interventions aiming to improve children's movement skills could target parents and be designed to teach parents how to recognize good and poor skill performance in their children.

Cross-cultural comparison of motor competence in children from Australia and Belgium

Motor competence in childhood is an important determinant of physical activity and physical fitness in later life. However, childhood competence levels in many countries are lower than desired. Due to the many different motor skill instruments in use, children's motor competence across countries is rarely compared. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the motor competence of children from Australia and Belgium using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK). The sample consisted of 244 (43.4% boys) Belgian children and 252 (50.0% boys) Australian children, aged 6-8 years. A MANCOVA for the motor scores showed a significant country effect. Belgian children scored higher on jumping sideways, moving sideways and hopping for height but not for balancing backwards. Moreover, a Chi squared test revealed significant differences between the Belgian and Australian score distribution with 21.3% Belgian and 39.3% Australian children scoring "below average." The very low levels reported by Australian children may be the result of cultural differences in physical activity contexts such as physical education and active transport. When compared to normed scores, both samples scored significantly worse than children 40 years ago. The decline in children's motor competence is a global issue, largely influenced by increasing sedentary behavior and a decline in physical activity.

Objectively measured sedentary behaviour and health and development in children and adolescents: systematic review and meta-analysis

Sedentary behaviour has emerged as a unique determinant of health in adults. Studies in children and adolescents have been less consistent. We reviewed the evidence to determine if the total volume and patterns (i.e. breaks and bouts) of objectively measured sedentary behaviour were associated with adverse health outcomes in young people, independent of moderate-intensity to vigorous-intensity physical activity. Four electronic databases (EMBASE MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, PubMed and Scopus) were searched (up to 12 November 2015) to retrieve studies among 2- to 18-year-olds, which used cross-sectional, longitudinal or experimental designs, and examined associations with health outcomes (adiposity, cardio-metabolic, fitness, respiratory, bone/musculoskeletal, psychosocial, cognition/academic achievement, gross motor development and other outcomes). Based on 88 eligible observational studies, level of evidence grading and quantitative meta-analyses indicated that there is limited available evidence that the total volume or patterns of sedentary behaviour are associated with health in children and adolescents when accounting for moderate-intensity to vigorous-intensity physical activity or focusing on studies with low risk of bias. Quality evidence from studies with robust designs and methods, objective measures of sitting, examining associations for various health outcomes, is needed to better understand if the overall volume or patterns of sedentary behaviour are independent determinants of health in children and adolescents.

The predictors of diet quality among Australian children aged 3.5 years

BACKGROUND: It is critical to promote healthy eating early in life. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine diet quality and its predictors among Australian preschool-aged children. DESIGN: Diet was assessed at age 3.5 years using multiple 24-hour recalls. Diet quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Revised Children's Diet Quality Index (RC-DQI). Potential predictors of diet quality were from questionnaires at age 3, 9, and 18 months and informed by the ecologic model of childhood overweight. Potential predictors included child's sex, age of introduction to solid foods, breastfeeding status, food acceptance, maternal nutrition knowledge, modeling of healthy eating, self-efficacy, education, and home food availability. PARTICIPANTS: Data from 244 children participating in the Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity, and Nutrition Trial in 2008-2010 and follow-up data collection in 2011-2013 were examined. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diet quality at age 3.5 years. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Bivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between diet quality and each predictor. A multivariable logistic regression model accounting for influences of covariates, treatment arm, and clustering by group tested associations between diet quality and significant predictors from bivariate analyses. RESULTS: RC-DQI scores had a mean±standard deviation score of 62.8±8.3 points out of a maximum of 85 points. Breastfeeding status (odds ratio [OR] 2.34, 95% CI 1.33 to 4.10) and maternal modeling of healthy eating (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.03) were positively associated with RC-DQI scores. Both breastfeeding status (OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.63 to 5.85) and modeling (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.88) remained positively associated with diet quality after adjustment for child age, body mass index z score, energy intake, treatment arm, and clustering. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding status and modeling of healthy eating were independently associated with children's diet quality. Early intervention could assist mothers to practice these behaviors to provide support for improving child diet quality.

Understanding home literacy practices of young children in vulnerable communities: what we can learn from the research

Research indicates that children who arrive m school with limited experiences of literacy are frequently at a disadvantage with progress in school. Without the necessary literate cultural capital, they have difficulty learning to read and write, falling further behind their classmates throughout their schooling. It is important that we focus on what language and literacy experiences are occurring in the home and how these can be further supported.This chapter acknowledges the important role that families play in young children's language and literacy development, drawing attention to the importance of the home as a site for supporting the literacy growth of children. Data, to inform the chapter, are drawn from two sources. One source is a large-scale survey investigation that gained insight into the different home literacy practices of preschool children in some disadvantaged areas of Victoria. The data provide a snapshot into what literacy practices occur in these homes. The second source is a case study of a single family taken from a targeted literacy intervention program in the north-west of Victoria. This study highlights possibilities for supporting families in literacy interactions with their young children in the home. The findings from both studies point to practical approaches and strategies that promote and support home literacy practices. This chapter argues that supporting families in their role is just as important as these families supporting their children's language and literacy learning.

The complexity of preschool children’s dramatic play behaviour and play styles in Australia: a mixed methods study

Dramatic play is recognised as an important source of learning and development for preschool children, yet there are increasing reports that the quality of dramatic play is declining. This paper aims to report on the findings of a mixed method study that examined the constructs of Australian preschool children’s dramatic play behaviour. Video observations and the Smilansky Scale for the Evaluation of Dramatic and Socio-Dramatic Play (Smilanksy & Shefatya, 1990) were used with 101 preschool children aged 4 to 6 years in selected early childhood educational settings in Melbourne, Australia. Findings reveal that the overall level of children’s dramatic play behaviour was low. A typology of four play styles will be presented. Implications on educators’ pedagogy are discussed.