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Environmental Influences on Preschoolers' Physical Activity Levels in Various Early-Learning Facilities

Leigh M Vanderloo1, Patricia Tucker1, Andrew M Johnson1

  • 1a University of Western Ontario.

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
|August 20, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Full-day kindergarten (FDK) offers preschoolers more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) than other childcare settings. Environmental factors in FDK and center-based childcare influence children's PA levels.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Kinesiology

Background:

  • Preschool physical activity (PA) is crucial for healthy development.
  • Early learning environments vary in their capacity to promote PA.
  • Understanding setting-specific PA levels and influencing factors is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Compare physical activity (PA) levels (moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA] and total PA [TPA]) in preschoolers across three settings: center-based childcare, home-based childcare, and full-day kindergarten (FDK).
  • Identify environmental and policy characteristics within these settings that influence preschoolers' PA.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized accelerometers to measure PA in 297 preschoolers (aged 2.5-5 years) over 5 days in 27 facilities (9 centers, 10 homes, 8 FDKs).
  • Employed the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) tool to assess the PA environment.
  • Collected demographic data via parent/guardian questionnaires.

Main Results:

  • Preschoolers in FDK showed significantly higher MVPA (3.33 min/hr) and TPA (20.31 min/hr) compared to center-based (MVPA: 1.58 min/hr; TPA: 18.36 min/hr) and home-based childcare (MVPA: 1.75 min/hr).
  • In FDK, EPAO subscales like Active Opportunities and Sedentary Environment significantly impacted MVPA and TPA.
  • In center-based childcare, only the Sedentary Environment subscale affected MVPA and TPA; no environmental factors influenced PA in home-based childcare.

Conclusions:

  • FDK environments are more conducive to higher PA levels in preschoolers.
  • Interventions should focus on environmental and staff characteristics to enhance PA in center- and home-based childcare settings.
  • Promoting active behaviors in early learning settings is vital for preschooler health.
Abstract

Keywords:
accelerometrychildcareearly yearshealth promotion

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