ORIGINAL ARTICLE Supported playgroups as a setting for promoting physical activity of young children: Findings from a feasibility study in south-west Sydney, Australia Danielle Weber, 1 Chris Rissel, 2 Debra Hector 2 and Li Ming Wen 1,2 1 Health Promotion Service, South West Sydney and Sydney Local Health Districts, Camperdown, 2 Physical Activity, Nutrition & Obesity Research Group, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Aim: This study examined the feasibility of the supported playgroups (SPGs) setting to promote physical activity among young children and increase staff and parental knowledge of the physical activity recommendations for young children. Methods: A 10-week Active Play@Playgroup intervention was conducted with 28 co-ordinators and 174 parents attending SPGs located in south-west Sydney. The intervention involved training and providing support to SPG co-ordinators to help promote active play and reduce screen time for young children. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated using pre- and post-intervention surveys. The main outcomes included changes in parents’ knowledge of physical activity recommendations for 0- to 5-year-olds, and children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviours outside of playgroup. Results: The mean time children spent playing actively outdoors during the week increased (pre: 1.48 h/day vs. post: 1.95 h/day, P = 0.02), and the time parents spent playing actively with their children increased both during weekdays (pre: 1.57 h/day vs. post: 2.42 h/day, P = 0.01) and on the weekend (pre: 2.95 h/day vs. post: 3.83 h/day, P = 0.02). There was also a significant increase in the proportion of parents with correct knowledge of recommended screen time for 0- to <2-year-olds (pre: 7.9% vs. post: 23.4%, P = 0.02). Conclusions: It is feasible and potentially effective to use the SPG setting to promote active play among young children and increase parents’ knowledge of physical activity recommendations for young children. Key words: active play; screen time; supported playgroup. What is already known on this topic 1 Physical activity has many health benefits for young children. 2 Only a third of young children meet the physical activity guidelines. 3 Supported playgroups provide an opportunity to engage young children. What this paper adds 1 Parents’ knowledge of the National Physical Activity Recommen- dations is low. 2 Using supported playgroups for promoting physical activity is feasible and potentially effective. 3 Further research on using supported playgroups for promoting physical activity is needed. To develop life-long habits of physical activity, children need to be encouraged to be active from an early age. Active play has many benefits for young children including improving balance and co-ordination, promoting social skills, self-confidence, inde- pendence, and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. 1,2 Only a third of Australian children aged 4–8 years are physically active enough for health benefits. 3,4 The recent National Physi- cal Activity Recommendations provide guidance in promoting physical activity, sedentary behaviours and screen time for chil- dren aged 0–5 years. 1 Supported playgroups (SPGs) provide a semi-structured envi- ronment where children (0–5 years) can play, socialise and learn and where parents can discuss issues and develop rela- tionships with other families. Unlike general playgroups, SPGs are led by qualified co-ordinators who provide advice and infor- mation and also link families with local health and community services. They are specifically funded to reach disadvantaged and isolated families such as those from culturally and linguis- tically diverse backgrounds, of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, and of low socio-economic groups. SPGs usually operate for 2 h once a week during school term. 5 The NSW Department of Community Services funds a variety of auspice agencies to run SPGs, and although each has a similar aim, they differ widely in how they operate and function. Correspondence: Dr Li Ming Wen, Health Promotion Service, South Western Sydney & Sydney Local Health Districts, Level 9 North, King George V Building, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. Fax: +61 2 9515 9056; email: lmwen@email.cs.nsw.gov.au Conflict of interest: The authors have nothing to disclose. Accepted for publication 16 September 2013. doi:10.1111/jpc.12466 Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (2013) © 2013 The Authors Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2013 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians) 1