A great way to bring up health behaviour topics at playgroup: a qualitative evaluation of the Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup program

Georgia Middleton; Brittany J Johnson; Dimity Dutch; Stewart G Trost; Rebecca Byrne; Hayley E Christian; Anna Henry; Caroline O Terranova; Kate E Williams; Li Kheng Chai; Denise S K Brookes; Kate Simon; Rebecca K Golley

doi:10.1186/s12889-024-17703-x

A great way to bring up health behaviour topics at playgroup: a qualitative evaluation of the Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup program

BMC Public Health. 2024 Mar 25;24(1):890. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-17703-x.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Flinders University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
² Flinders University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia. brittany.johnson@flinders.edu.au.
³ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland Australia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁴ Faculty of Health, School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁵ Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
⁶ School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
⁷ Centre for Child and Family Studies, School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁸ Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Queensland Government, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁹ Flinders University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia. rebecca.golley@flinders.edu.au.

Abstract

Background: The early years is a critical stage to establish optimal nutrition and movement behaviours. Community playgroups are a relaxed environment for parents with a focus on social connection and supporting parents in their role as 'First Teachers'. Playgroups are therefore an opportunistic setting to promote health behaviours in the early years. To support parents with young children around healthy lifestyle behaviours, the Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup program was delivered in urban and regional areas, across three Australian jurisdictions between 2021-2023.

Objective: This qualitative evaluation aimed to understand how the Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup program was experienced by parents, playgroup coordinators and peer facilitators.

Design: Semi-structured virtual interviews and focus groups were conducted with parents, playgroup coordinators (i.e., person responsible for coordinating the playgroup) and peer facilitators (i.e., trained facilitator for the program) that participated in the Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup study. Transcripts were analysed following a thematic analysis approach.

Results: Twenty-eight playgroup parents, coordinators or peer facilitators participated in one of 8 focus groups or 5 interviews. Four themes were developed: Program strengths and challenges; Setting strengths and challenges; Factors that impact program delivery; Participant's suggestions for future program delivery.

Conclusions: The Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup program was valued by parents, providing validation and normalisation of parenting practices, and fostering a shared experience of parenting. Playgroups are a convenient setting for families to attend. The dynamic and distracting nature of the playgroup setting were carefully considered when designing the program. Strategies to further enhance program engagement could include use of coordinator or parent champions, tailored delivery, and extending the reach to other family members.

Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12621000055808, registered 22 January 2021, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=380890.

Keywords: Community; Early childhood; Healthy eating; Movement; Parenting; Peer-led program; Playgroup; Screentime; Sleep.

MeSH terms

Australia
Child, Preschool
Clinical Trials as Topic
Health Behavior
Health Promotion*
Humans
Parenting
Parents*
Qualitative Research

Grants and funding

102549/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom