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Accelerometers identify inactive and potentially obese children (EarlyBird 3)
B S Metcalf1, L D Voss, T J Wilkin
1University Medicine, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|July 26, 2002
Summary
Accelerometers show significant differences in physical activity in 5-year-olds. This technology can identify inactive children early, helping to prevent childhood obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Physical Activity Measurement
- Childhood Obesity Risk Factors
Background:
- Physical activity levels in early childhood are crucial for long-term health.
- Understanding variations in activity can inform early intervention strategies.
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify physical activity variation in healthy 5-year-old children using accelerometers.
- To identify characteristics of habitually inactive children.
- To assess the utility of accelerometers in early identification of obesity risk.
Main Methods:
- Objective measurement of physical activity using accelerometers.
- Assessment of activity patterns during school days and weekends.
- Analysis of activity data to identify subgroups of children.
Main Results:
- A fivefold variation in physical activity was observed among healthy 5-year-old children.
- Habitually inactive children were identified, with a higher proportion being girls.
- Inactivity was noted across both school and weekend periods.
Conclusions:
- Accelerometers are effective tools for measuring physical activity variations in young children.
- Early identification of inactive children, particularly girls, is possible.
- Accelerometry holds potential for identifying children at risk of developing obesity from an early age.