Global physical activity guidelines for preschoolers include 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily. This study, based on the developmental model of motor skill competence, examines how motor competence relates to preschoolers’ likelihood of meeting global guidelines using ankle accelerometry. We measured physical activity using 24-h ankle-placement accelerometry (Actical) for at least two consecutive days (87% with six-seven days), motor competence using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2), and BMI-for-age z-scores (BMIz) using anthropometry and age- and sex-specific CDC norms. Caregivers provided demographic characteristics of children’s age, sex, and race. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine how motor competence, BMIz weight status, and demographic characteristics related to meeting global physical activity guidelines. The sample included 588 preschoolers, age 3–5 years; 55% male; 60% white; and 28% overweight/obese; 75% attained the recommended 60 min of MVPA per day. The odds of meeting MVPA guidelines were associated with higher gross motor quotient, higher object control scores, sex (male), age (older), and race (white), but not with BMIz weight status. Findings support the use of 24-h ankle accelerometry among preschoolers and are consistent with the developmental model of motor competence applied to preschoolers, whereby object control competence relates positively to attaining global physical activity guidelines.
Evaluation:The dissemination feasibility study for Segment 1 will include pre/post survey completed by a key informant at each participating preschool/daycare and brief parent surveys. The new, second segment (Segment 2) of HomeStyles tailored to families with children 6 to 11 years will be evaluated via a randomized controlled trial designed to determine whether this novel, age-appropriate, family intervention enables and motivates English-and Spanish-speaking parents to shape their home environments and weight-related lifestyle practices (diet, exercise, sleep) to reduce risk of obesity during middle childhood more than those in the control condition. Students enrolled in coursework and practicums will be evaluated using rubrics and satisfaction surveys. Conclusions and Implications: This intervention will apply community-based participatory research principles and be aligned with current obesity prevention recommendations and behavior change theories. This project will provide a sustainable model for confronting and combating obesity and safeguarding health that can be brought to scale nationwide.
Objectives
Overweight/obesity (OO) among preschoolers is a major public health issue that has been linked to many factors. Food neophobia is an important factor in children's diet but has inconsistent associations with obesity. Intersectionality affects the outcome of any childhood events. This study examines: 1) direct association of FN and preschooler OO, 2) whether FN moderates or mediates the caregiver OO-preschooler OO association, and 3) intersectionality of sex and race and preschooler OO.
Methods
Baseline data were gathered from 52 childcare centers participating in a randomized controlled trial to promote healthy dietary habits. The sample included 500 preschoolers and caregivers. Children were weighed and measured; we calculated body mass index percentile (BMIp) and categorized them as OO vs. healthy based on CDC criteria. Caregivers reported their weight, family demographics, and completed the 2-item Household Food Security Scale and the Child Food Neophobia Scale. Logistic Mixed Models (LMM) were used with childcare centers as random effects, adjusting for child age, sex, race, and sociodemographic. Model 1 examined the association between FN and OO. Model 2 added the caregiver OO*FN interaction, and Model 3 examined FN as a mediator in the caregiver OO-preschooler OO association. Model 4 tested the sex*race interaction with preschooler OO.
Results
Children's mean age was 48 months (SD = 7.5), 55% boys, and 25.4% OO. Caregiver mean age was 36 years (SD = 5.7), 90% women, 67% educated at bachelor's or higher, 84% employed full-time, 13% food insecure, and 58% OO. In multivariable LMM, compared to normal weight, overweight and obese caregivers were 2.6 (95% CI: 1.6–4.3) and 3.9 (95% CI: 2.1–7.3) times, respectively, more likely to have OO child. FN was not associated with preschoolers’ OO directly or through moderation or mediation. The intersectionality of child race and sex was significant (P = 0.01) in predicting child obesity. Non-White girls had the highest mean BMIp, 69.3.
Conclusions
OO among preschoolers and caregivers was related. FN was not associated with preschooler OO either directly or indirectly. Research into the mechanisms linking caregiver and preschooler OO is needed. The elevated BMIp among non-white preschool girls calls for research focused on this population.
Funding Sources
National Institute Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.