Factors associated with objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time of 5–6-year-old children in the STEPS Study

Abstract

Background: The factors associated with preschool-aged children's physical activity (PA) remains unclear. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine how different factors were associated with preschool-aged children's objectively measured PA and sedentary time. Methods: The study population was 5-6-year-old children (n = 140) and their parents (n = 138) from the STEPS Study in Turku in Southwest Finland in 2013-2014. PA and sedentary time were measured objectively by accelerometers from children and parents and body mass index with Tanita scale. Other factors (siblings, day care, organized PA and parents' education) were collected with questionnaires. Linear models were conducted. Results: Child's PA was positively associated with mother's PA and day care attendance. Child's sedentary time was positively associated with mother's sedentary time. Father's PA and sedentary time were associated with respective variables in children, but only among fathers with high education. Conclusion: Parental role modelling is essential in developing child's physically active and less sedentary lifestyle.

Cuestionario Pictórico de la Actividad Física Infantil: diseño y validación

“…La evidencia muestra que el promedio de tiempo en actividades sedentarias incrementa con la edad para ambos sexos (Craig, Mindell y Hirani, 2009). Asimismo, existe evidencia de la asociación entre los estilos de vida del padre y la madre y los estilos de vida de la población infantil y la niñez, por lo que el modelo de rol parental que se asuma es fundamental en el desarrollo de estilos de vida saludables y la reducción de comportamientos sedentarios (Matarma, et al, 2017). A su vez, Martínez, Contreras, Lera Navarro y Aznar Laín (2012) mencionan cómo el sedentarismo se está trasladando de la población adulta hacia edades tempranas como la adolescencia y la niñez.…”

Association between home environment and preschool children’s sedentary time influenced by parental educational level in a cross-sectional survey

“…According to Kremers and colleagues (2006), social and physical home environment's associations with EBRBs may vary between population subgroups and sociodemographic factors, including SES. This means that even though no SES differences in children's SED have been found among Finnish preschool children (Matarma et al 2016, Määttä et al 2017a, SES may well in uence the association between home environment and SED. Thus, not only the environmental factors might differ depending on SES, but also the association between factors in home environment and children's SED may differ by SES.…”

“…Only a few studies have examined this topic. A Finnish study (Matarma et al 2016) revealed that, although no SES differences in children's SED was noted, the association between paternal and children's SED differed according to SES. The SED of highly educated fathers associated with children's lower SED, whereas among lower-educated fathers no association between paternal and children's SED was found (Matarma et al 2016).…”

“…A Finnish study (Matarma et al 2016) revealed that, although no SES differences in children's SED was noted, the association between paternal and children's SED differed according to SES. The SED of highly educated fathers associated with children's lower SED, whereas among lower-educated fathers no association between paternal and children's SED was found (Matarma et al 2016). A study from the USA, however, did not nd a moderating effect of maternal education / work status on the association between home environment and children's sedentary time (Östbye et al 2013).…”

“…A Finnish study using accelerometers found that 5-6-year-olds spend half of their waking hours sedentary (Matarma et al 2016). It is important to in uence EBRBs, including sedentary behaviour, already at an early age, since EBRBs adopted during childhood track into adulthood (Craigie et al 2011).…”