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The contribution of psychosocial variables in explaining preschoolers' physical activity

Camille Gagné1, Isabelle Harnois

  • 1Faculty of Nursing, Laval University, Québec, Canada. camille.gagne@fsi.ulaval.ca

Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association
|April 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Daycare workers' intention and descriptive norms significantly influence preschoolers' physical activity. Motivating daycare staff through democratic interventions and appropriate materials is key to increasing children's movement.

Area of Science:

  • Childhood development
  • Health behavior theory
  • Physical activity promotion

Background:

  • Preschool physical activity is crucial for development.
  • Understanding factors influencing physical activity in daycare settings is essential.
  • The theory of planned behavior provides a framework for examining behavioral determinants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of daycare workers' psychosocial variables on preschoolers' physical activity.
  • To explore how psychosocial variables, combined with environmental and sociodemographic factors, explain children's physical activity.
  • To identify key determinants of physical activity in daycare centers.

Main Methods:

  • 46 daycare workers completed questionnaires on psychosocial and sociodemographic variables.
  • 242 preschoolers wore accelerometers to measure physical activity.
  • Researchers observed daycare environments and democratic interventions.

Main Results:

  • Daycare workers' intention and descriptive norms directly influenced children's physical activity.
  • Democratic intervention, workers' age, material availability, and children's age/gender were also significant determinants.
  • Psychosocial variables, environmental factors, and sociodemographic characteristics collectively explained children's physical activity.

Conclusions:

  • Motivating daycare workers to promote physical activity is vital for increasing preschoolers' movement.
  • Strategies encouraging democratic intervention and use of stimulating materials are recommended.
  • Targeting daycare workers' psychosocial factors can enhance children's physical activity levels.
Abstract

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