Physical activity and beverage consumption in preschoolers: focus groups with parents and teachers

Background: Qualitative research is a method in which new ideas and
strategies can be discovered. This qualitative study aimed to
investigate parents' and teachers' opinions on physical activity
and beverage consumption of preschool children. Through separate,
independent focus groups, they expressed their perceptions on
children's current physical activity and beverage consumption
levels, factors that influence and enhance these behaviours, and
anticipated barriers to making changes. Methods: Multi-cultural and
multi-geographical focus groups were carried out in six European
countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Spain).
In total, twenty-four focus groups with 122 parents and eighteen
focus groups with 87 teachers were conducted between October 2010
and January 2011. Based on a semi-structured interview guide,
questions on preschoolers' physical activity (opinions on
preschoolers' physical activity, how to increase physical activity,
facilitators and barriers of physical activity) and beverage
consumption (rules and policies, factors influencing promotion of
healthy drinking, recommendations for future intervention
development) were asked. The information was analyzed using
qualitative data analysis software (NVivo8). Results: The focus
group results indicated misperceptions of caregivers on
preschoolers' physical activity and beverage consumption levels.
Caregivers perceived preschoolers as sufficiently active; they
argue that children need to learn to sit still in preparation for
primary school. At most preschools, children can drink only water.
In some preschools sugar-sweetened beverages like chocolate milk or
fruit juices, are also allowed. It was mentioned that
sugar-sweetened beverages can be healthy due to mineral and vitamin
content, although according to parents their daily intake is
limited. These opinions resulted in low perceived needs to change
behaviours. Conclusions: Although previous research shows need of
change in obesity-related behaviours, the participants in the
current study didn't perceive such. The awareness of parents and
teachers needs to be raised concerning their shared responsibility
about healthy behaviours in preschoolers. Providing preschool
teachers with ready-to-use classroom material will encourage them
to change physical activity and beverage consumption, and to
implement related activities in the classroom. Involvement in
activities that their children perform at preschool will motivate
parents to extend these behaviours to the home environment.