Description
Abstract:Background: ToyBox Study Malaysia is a multi-component intervention to improve energy-balance behaviours in 3-6 year-old kindergarten children. Based on the European ToyBox-Study, the teacher-led intervention focused on improving four target behaviours: drinking water, eating healthily, reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing physical activity.
Aims: To test the hypothesis that stunted children (standardised height for age, HAZ < -2.0) in the intervention group would show improved growth compared to those in the control group.
Methods: The intervention lasted 24 weeks, with 4-week periods focusing on each behaviour, then 2-week repetitions. Kindergartens were recruited via the Community Development Department (KEMAS), Malaysia, sampling from 3 states with different urbanisation and ethnicities: Kuala Lumpur/Selangor (n=10/5 intervention, 13/5 control), Sarawak (7 intervention, 8 control), with random allocation to group. Anthropometric outcomes were examined in 812 children who completed either the intervention (n=403) or control (n=409) conditions (dropout: 9%, 11%, respectively).
Results: Changes in standardised height for age (HAZ) were compared between groups in children with stunted growth at baseline (WHO: HAZ < 2; intervention n=48, control n=39). HAZ increased in the intervention group vs. control, interaction effect, p<0.05, 2-tail, partial η2 =0.05, and also when adjusting for baseline HAZ (ANCOVA group effect, p=0.05, 2-tail, partial η2 =0.04), post-intervention adjusted means, intervention HAZ = -2.0, SE=0.10; control HAZ = -2.30, SE=0.11.
Conclusions: ToyBox Study Malaysia can reduce stunted growth in young children, implying improved functional nutrition following the intervention.
Estimated audience numbers (if applicable)
300| Period | 7 Aug 2023 → 9 Aug 2023 |
|---|---|
| Event title | 15th International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Kuching, MalaysiaShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |
Keywords
- Stunting
- Child health
- Nutrition
- Interventions
- Preschool