The Centre for Trials Research and DECIPHer at Cardiff University, both funded by Health and Care Research Wales, participated in a study recently featured in leading medical journal, the Lancet Regional Health – Europe.
The study evaluated the impact of the NAP SACC UK programme (Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care), an established US model which aims to improve nutrition and physical activity policies, practice and provision within UK Early Years settings. Led by the University of Bristol, research teams from across Wales, England and Scotland tested its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness through a large multicentre trial, supported by Health and Care Research Wales through contributions to the National Institute for Health and Care Research Public Health Research Programme (NIHR PHR).
The trial took place between March 2022 and March 2024 and involved 52 early childhood education and care providers and 835 children aged two to five years in England and Scotland.
While they found that children who took part in the NAPSACC UK intervention did not consume fewer calories during the nursery day, nor engage in more total physical activity, there was evidence of improvement in the number of calories served and eaten at lunchtime.
The programme involved self-assessment, specialist staff workshops, goal setting and action planning and ongoing support for the childcare settings. The research team evaluated whether it led to a reduction in children’s energy consumption during nursery meals, measured by assessing nutrient content of food photos, and an increase in their physical activity, measured through activity belts (accelerometers).
While they found that children who took part in the NAPSACC UK intervention did not consume fewer calories during the nursery day, nor engage in more total physical activity, there was evidence of improvement in the number of calories served and eaten at lunchtime. The researchers concluded that policy-level and statutory changes, such as mandated nutritional requirements, clear portion-size standards and free provision of lunches, are likely to be more effective, scalable and equitable approaches to improving young children’s diet and physical activity.
James White, Professor and Director of Population Health and Social Care trials, Centre for Trials Research and DECIPHer, said, “The NAPSACC UK study is one of the largest UK trials to explore improving physical activity and nutrition in early years settings. We did not find beneficial changes in physical activity or nutritional intake. Our analyses suggest policy and statutory changes are likely necessary to make large scale equitable health improvements for young children.”
This video explains more about the study’s results.
This article was first published by Health and Care Research Wales.
