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Physical activity promotion in the preschool years: a critical period to intervene

Gary S Goldfield1, Alysha Harvey, Kimberly Grattan

  • 1Healthy Active Living & Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada. ggoldfield@cheo.on.ca

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|June 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Preschool physical activity interventions are crucial for combating sedentary behavior and obesity. Daycare settings offer a prime opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent chronic diseases in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Behavioral Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Preschool years are critical for establishing lifelong physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns.
  • Obesity rates and sedentary behaviors are significant concerns in the preschool population.
  • Early lifestyle choices impact long-term health outcomes and chronic disease risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish the necessity of physical activity interventions during the preschool years.
  • To identify the daycare environment as a suitable setting for such interventions.
  • To review physical activity, sedentary behavior, obesity prevalence, and their health impacts in preschoolers.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature on preschool physical activity, sedentary behavior, and obesity.
  • Analysis of health impacts associated with these lifestyle factors in young children.
  • Discussion of intervention and research implications using a 'lessons learned' model from a randomized controlled trial.

Main Results:

  • The preschool years represent a critical window for intervention to promote physical activity.
  • Daycare settings provide a feasible and effective environment for implementing physical activity programs.
  • Evidence suggests a link between physical activity, sedentary behavior, motor skills, body composition, and overall health in preschoolers.

Conclusions:

  • Physical activity interventions in preschools are essential for health promotion and chronic disease prevention.
  • Future research should focus on optimizing intervention strategies within daycare settings.
  • Addressing sedentary behavior and promoting physical activity in early childhood is key for long-term pediatric health.

Keywords:
critical periodobesityphysical activitypreschoolersprevention

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