Workpackage 04

WP4 will be concerned with reviewing the evidence for the effectiveness of educational strategies, and behavioural models, in relation to healthy eating, physical activity and energy-balance related behaviours of young children. Behavioural models (e.g. Social Cognitive Theory, the Socio-Ecological Model, the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Social Marketing) provide the theoretical framework for the design and implementation of school based interventions whereas educational strategies (e.g. number of exposures to food, methods of encouragement, or ‘learning to like’ procedures) are practical plans of action that parents and teachers can use to help children achieve the desired behaviours.

Knowledge from the findings will then be transferred to WP6, to ensure the best evidence-based design for a school-based family involving intervention. The approach will consist mainly of two tasks:

Task 4.1 will form a critical narrative review of the literature composed of two parts: a) a review of psychological approaches (theoretical explanations and their evidence) on young children’s acquisition and formation of energy-balance related behaviours, including social and biological theories of learning and motivation, and understanding individual differences in risk for obesity-related behaviours; b) a review of educational strategies used by teachers, parents and health professionals to alter these learned behaviours toward a healthy energy-balance related outcome.

Task 4.2 will form a systematic review focusing on behavioural models used as theoretical framework for the design and implementation of school based interventions (both at pre-primary and primary education settings) aiming to prevent obesity. The knowledge accumulated from these reviews will then be formulated and transferred to WP6, to ensure the best evidence-based intervention that is practicable in young children (Task 4.3).

Objectives:

4.1 Identification and critically appraisal of educational strategies and psychological approaches explaining young children’s acquisition and formation of energy-balance related behaviours, and facilitating their management.

4.2 Systematic review of behavioural models used in school-based interventions in pre-primary and primary education settings for the prevention of obesity.

4.3 Translation of findings into practical evidence-based input for WP 6.