Environmental Influences on Preschoolers' Physical Activity Levels in Various Early-Learning Facilities

Vanderloo, Leigh M.; Tucker, Patricia; Johnson, Andrew M.; Burke, Shauna M.; Irwin, Jennifer D.

doi:10.1080/02701367.2015.1053105

Cited by 56 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Additionally, contextual information regarding the types of sedentary activities toddlers engage in would help with the interpretation of sedentary time estimates, as some sedentary behaviours offer more educational value than others. Moreover, it would be beneficial to explore the childcare environment as a platform for intervention within this population, as childcare centre characteristics have consistently been associated with physical activity rates in preschoolers [73]. Education and promotion of the 24-h movement guidelines among parents, guardians, pediatricians, and early childhood educators may benefit young children in developing and maintaining healthy movement profiles.…”

Section: Future Research Efforts and Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infants’ and toddlers’ physical activity and sedentary time as measured by accelerometry: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bruijns

Truelove

Johnson

et al. 2020

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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Background: Early experiences in physical activity (PA) are important to shape healthy movement behaviours long-term; as such, it is critical that PA is promoted from infancy, and that detrimental behaviours (e.g., prolonged sedentary time [ST]) are minimized. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine infants' and toddlers' movement behaviours across daytime hours. Methods: Seven online databases were searched for terms related to infants (< 12 months), toddlers (12-35.9 months), PA, ST, and accelerometry. Two independent reviewers examined 4873 articles for peer-reviewed original research, published in English, that assessed infants' (counts/min) and/or toddlers' PA or ST (min/day) using accelerometry across daytime hours. Infants' mean PA level (counts/min) was averaged across studies, and ranges were produced. Estimates of toddlers' movement behaviours were aggregated meta-analytically to produce average daily rates, and accelerometer placement, cut-point validity, device type, and epoch length were tested as a moderating variables. Results: Twenty-four studies from 16 countries (published 2011-2019), representing 3699 participants, were included in the systematic review. Five studies reported on infants' PA, which ranged from 78.2 to 2580.5 cpm. Across 20 studies, toddlers' total PA, light PA, moderate-to vigorous-intensity PA, and ST ranged from 72.9 to 636.5, 48.5 to 582.4, 6.5 to 89.9, and 172.7 to 545.0 min/day, respectively. After taking into account accelerometer placement, cut-point validity, device type, and epoch length, we found that toddlers engaged in 246.19 min/day (SE = 28.50; 95% CI: 190.34, 302.04) of total PA, 194.10 min/day (SE = 28.76; 95% CI: 137.73, 250.47) of light PA, and 60.16 min/day (SE = 5.88; 95% CI: 48.64, 71.69) of moderate-to vigorous-intensity PA. Toddlers engaged in 337.04 min/day (SE = 32.67; 95% CI: 273.01, 401.07) of ST. Conclusions:With limited studies conducted in infants (n = 5), PA estimates are inconclusive and largely heterogeneous. Overall, toddlers tend to exceed the total PA recommendation of 180 min/day; however, very little of this time is spent at higher movement intensities. Even with high PA rates, toddlers still engage in substantial ST. More consistent and valid measurement protocols are needed to improve comparability across studies.

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Section: Future Research Efforts and Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infants’ and toddlers’ physical activity and sedentary time as measured by accelerometry: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bruijns

Truelove

Johnson

et al. 2020

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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“…Accordingly, early childhood is a critical time to implement health promotion programs that promote physical activity and limit sedentary behaviours, as early prevention appears to be the most cost‐effective and efficacious strategy against childhood obesity and a range of other adverse health conditions 8,16–18 . Previous research has established several modifiable factors in preschool environments that significantly increase physical activity and lessen sedentary time for children while in care: high service quality; 19 written physical activity policies; 20 equipment variety and portability; 19,21,22 larger playgrounds 19,23 and indoor play space; 23,24 time spent outdoors; 24,25 regular teacher‐led structured activity; 20 low electronic media use 19,26 and teacher training in physical activity 4,19 …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical activity and screen use policy and practices in childcare: results from a survey of early childhood education services in New Zealand

Gerritsen

Morton

Wall

2016

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

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Objective: To investigate written policies, equipment, strategies and barriers to children's activity in early childhood education settings, including participation in health promotion programs and reported time children spend in active play and using screens while in care. Methods:Cross-sectional online survey of licensed childcare services in Auckland and Waikato. Policies were scored using a validated tool (WellCCAT-NZ). Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate regression.Results: Managers, head teachers or similar from 237 services completed the survey (28% of invited services). Of these, 35% had a written activity policy; most policies scored low on the WellCCAT-NZ. Comprehensive and strongly worded policies were associated with a lower adult-to-child ratio (p=0.03, adjusted for ECE characteristics). No policies addressed screen use. Children were reported to have teacher-led activity 80 minutes/day, and child-led activity five hours/day (indoor and outdoor). Children watched television daily in 2% and weekly in 11% the services; and used computers daily in 11% and weekly in 22% of services. Fewer than half of services participated in health promotion programs with a physical activity component. Conclusions:Childcare services reported having adequate equipment, space and time for physical activity of children; however, there are low participation rates in activity programs and a notable absence of written policy.

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“…The results indicated that Flemish children who started attending school at the age of 2 years 6 months, and who participated in a more formal curriculum, performed significantly better in the Movement Assessment Battery for Children than the standardized sample (attending preschool classes at the age of 5y). The level of childhood physical activity was also affected by the environment of preschool they attended when the children's age, sex, or other environmental conditions were considered . Recently, an intervention study reported that school environment affected children's physical level when adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index centiles .…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The level of childhood physical activity was also affected by the environment of preschool they attended when the children's age, sex, or other environmental conditions were considered. 11,12 Recently, an intervention study reported that school environment affected children's physical level when adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index centiles. 13 Children attending childcare centres have also been shown to have less developed fine motor skills than those in private schools.…”

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confidence: 99%

Effects of home and education environments on children's motor performance in China

Hua

Duan

Gu³

et al. 2016

Develop Med Child Neuro

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METHOD We conducted a cross-sectional study of 4001 preschool children selected from 160classes. The children's motor performance was assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition (MABC-2). Home and educational environments were evaluated using validated checklists. The effects of home and educational environments on motor performance were analysed using mixed and multilevel logistic regression models. RESULTSThe results showed that one score increase in the outside space of the family home was positively associated with the increase in total test score (0.104) subtest score of aiming and catching (0.037), and balance (0.034) of the MABC-2, after adjusting for potential confounders (each p<0.05). Possession of motor toys at home and parental rearing behaviours were also related to total test score, manual dexterity, and balance (b=0.022-0.104, each p<0.05). Space and furnishings, activity, and interaction in the classroom had a significant positive association with total test score (b=0.069-0.201), and with subtest scores of manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and balance respectively (b=0.115-0.206). Space and furnishings of classrooms and possession of toys in the household were protective factors for 'at risk' or significant poor performance (odds ratio 0.942-0.973, each p<0.05).

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Environmental Influences on Preschoolers' Physical Activity Levels in Various Early-Learning Facilities

Cited by 56 publications

References 30 publications

Infants’ and toddlers’ physical activity and sedentary time as measured by accelerometry: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Infants’ and toddlers’ physical activity and sedentary time as measured by accelerometry: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Physical activity and screen use policy and practices in childcare: results from a survey of early childhood education services in New Zealand

Effects of home and education environments on children's motor performance in China

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