Multidisciplinary Health Literacy Intervention in Preschool Children

University of Palermo160 enrolled

Overview

The Preschoolers' Health Literacy Project (Pre-HELP) was a school-based study designed to promote health literacy in preschool children through age-appropriate educational activities. The project included activities focused on movement, food, and environmental health. The main purpose of the study was to examine whether a multidisciplinary educational program could improve health-related knowledge, skills, and behaviors in children aged 3 to 6 years. Preschool classes were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Children in the intervention group participated in structured educational laboratories, including a play-based motor program, while children in the control group continued their usual preschool activities. Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention period.

Pre-HELP was a multidisciplinary educational intervention conducted in preschool settings with children aged 3 to 6 years. The project included integrated laboratories focused on movement, food, and environmental health, with the aim of supporting early health literacy through play-based and experiential activities. The study used a cluster-randomized controlled design, with preschool classes serving as the unit of randomization. Classes were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received the multidisciplinary educational program, whereas the control group continued usual preschool activities. The motor component consisted of a structured, play-based program delivered twice per week over 8 weeks and designed to promote fundamental motor skills. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after the intervention period. Motor competence was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition. Other project components addressed food literacy and environmental health education. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the University of Palermo.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Interventions

Pre-HELP Multidisciplinary Educational ProgramBEHAVIORAL

The intervention consisted of age-appropriate educational laboratories focused on movement, food, and environmental health. The motor component included a structured, play-based program informed by physical literacy principles and delivered twice per week over 8 weeks. Activities were designed to promote fundamental motor skills, engagement, task variability, and experiential learning in preschool children.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 3 YearsMax age: 6 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Enrollment in a participating preschool class. * Age between 3 and 6 years. * Regular participation in usual preschool activities. * Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian. Exclusion Criteria: * Medical or developmental conditions preventing participation in school-based motor and educational activities. * Absence of written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Gross Motor Index

Gross motor competence was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition. The Gross Motor Index is derived from age- and sex-adjusted standard scores, with higher scores indicating better overall gross motor competence.

Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention, approximately 8 weeks.

Change in food literacy assessment score

Food literacy was assessed using a study-specific Food Literacy Assessment Tool based on five educational modules addressing body weight and foods, food quality and quantity, organic and seasonal foods, traditional and Mediterranean foods, and the food pyramid. Each module included age-appropriate tasks scored according to correct responses or associations. Higher scores indicate better food-related knowledge and skills.