Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
06:51

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Published on: July 27, 2022

Correlates of physical activity in 2-year-old toddlers: the generation R study

Anne I Wijtzes1, Marjolein N Kooijman, Jessica C Kiefte-de Jong

  • 1The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. a.wijtzes@erasmusmc.nl

The Journal of Pediatrics
|March 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Two-year-old toddlers exhibit high sedentary behavior, spending over 80% of their time inactive. Researchers found no modifiable factors influencing this, highlighting a need for further study on physical activity in early childhood.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Kinesiology

Background:

  • Understanding physical activity and sedentary behavior in early childhood is crucial for long-term health.
  • Objectively measuring activity levels in toddlers presents unique methodological challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To objectively measure physical activity and sedentary behavior in 2-year-old toddlers.
  • To identify correlates associated with these behaviors in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized ActiGraph accelerometers to monitor activity in 347 toddlers over weekdays and weekend days.
  • Collected correlate data through parent questionnaires, delivery reports, and child health center visits.
  • Employed univariate and multivariable linear regression to analyze associations.

Main Results:

  • Toddlers spent a significant majority of monitored time in sedentary behavior (85.6% weekdays, 84.5% weekend days).
  • Child's sex, age, number of siblings, and season of measurement were significant correlates.
  • Gross motor development approached significance for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; socioeconomic factors and BMI z-score were not significant.

Conclusions:

  • Two-year-old toddlers predominantly engage in sedentary behavior.
  • No modifiable correlates were identified in this study.
  • Further research is essential to understand physical activity patterns and health benefits in very young children.
Abstract

Keywords:
BMIBody mass indexCPMCounts per minuteMVPAModerate-to-vigorous physical activityNASPENational Association for Sport and Physical EducationTVTelevision

More Related Videos

Use of a Video Scoring Anchor for Rapid Serial Assessment of Social Communication in Toddlers09:16

Use of a Video Scoring Anchor for Rapid Serial Assessment of Social Communication in Toddlers

Published on: March 14, 2018

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges08:22

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges

Published on: February 25, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Correlations02:20

Correlations

Correlation means that there is a relationship between two or more variables (such as ice cream consumption and crime), but this relationship does not necessarily imply cause and effect. When two variables are correlated, it simply means that as one variable changes, so does the other. We can measure correlation by calculating a statistic known as a correlation coefficient. A correlation coefficient is a number from -1 to +1 that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between...
Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs01:23

Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs

Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...