Gesundheitskompetenz und gesundheitliche Situation von Erzieher/innen: Ergebnisse einer cluster-kontrollierten Studie an 62 Kindertagesstätten

Background: Preschool teachers function as role models for children and play an important role in health behavior change interventions targeting children. Objective: To examine levels of health literacy (HL) and status of preschool teachers, as well as lifestyle changes during participation in the 12-month intervention “JolinchenKids—fit and healthy in daycare”. Methods: HL, health behavior, and health status were assessed in preschool teachers in a cluster-controlled trial conducted at 62 daycare facilities at baseline and 12 months (n = 132). Outcomes of preschool teachers at intervention daycare facilities (IDFs) were compared to those working at delayed intervention control facilities (CDFs) that implemented the intervention after completion of the follow-up. Results: In all, 42.9% of the preschool teachers at IDFs displayed an adequate HL compared to 52% at CDFs. Ninety percent at both DFs reported a good to excellent health status at both time points. At baseline, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was 38% at IDFs and fell to 33% at follow-up but remained unchanged at CDFs. One quarter of preschool teachers at IDFs (17% at CDFs) reached the 2.5 h of moderate physical activity per week recommended by the World Health Organization at baseline and 27% vs. 20%, respectively, at follow-up. Only 8% of the preschool teachers at IDFs (9% at CDFs) consumed the recommended five portions of fruits and vegetables per day at baseline compared to 15% vs. 13% at follow-up. Conclusions: The distribution of HL in the population of preschool teachers was similar to that observed in the general German population. The majority of the sample displayed a good health status. Changes in health behavior remain the target of future interventions.