Disseminating the movement behaviour guidelines for young children in Hong Kong: process and outcome evaluations

Health promotion strategies in early childhood are needed to address the global problem of physical inactivity. In Hong Kong, where the movement guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization for young children have been adopted by the health authorities, we implemented evidence-informed dissemination strategies targeting teachers and parents in kindergarten settings. Workshops, resource materials, and social media content delivered information about the (1) specifications and rationale behind the movement guidelines; (2) benefits associated with meeting each of the guidelines; and (3) practical strategies for teachers and parents to promote the adoption and implementation of the guidelines. Using the Reach, Evaluation, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, we conducted process and outcome evaluations to assess the processes and outcomes related to the dissemination. We used a mixed-methods triangulation design-convergence model, where data were gathered through workshop audits, online surveys, focus groups, and device-based physical activity monitoring. The process evaluation suggested that enablers and barriers to implementing the movement guidelines may be rooted in policies and social expectations, but knowledge translation may be supported by tailoring the information to the Hong Kong context. The outcome evaluation revealed that the dissemination effectively increased and maintained teachers’ and parents’ knowledge of the guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviours and sleep. The physical activity of children was also enhanced, suggesting that kindergarten-based health promotion can improve children’s outcomes by capitalising on the roles of teachers and parents.