Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges
Published on: February 25, 2016
Objectively Measured Environmental Correlates of Toddlers' Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior
Stephen Hunter1, Andrei Rosu2, Kylie D Hesketh3
1University of Alberta.
Insights
Warmer weather correlates with slightly more light physical activity in toddlers, but neighborhood factors showed no significant link. Indoor activity options may be crucial for young children on colder days.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Environmental Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Understanding environmental influences on physical activity in toddlers is crucial for public health.
- Objective measurement of physical activity and sedentary behavior is key to accurate assessment.
- Toddlers (12-35 months) have unique developmental needs influencing their activity patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between objectively measured environmental factors and physical activity/sedentary behavior in toddlers.
- To explore associations between neighborhood characteristics (walkability, safety, aesthetics, destinations) and toddler activity levels.
- To examine the impact of weather conditions on toddlers' physical activity and sedentary time.
Main Methods:
- Objective measurement of physical activity and sedentary time using accelerometers in 149 toddlers.
- Parental questionnaires for screen time and demographics in 249 toddlers.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) linked neighborhood data and historical weather records to accelerometer and survey data.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant association was found between warmer mean temperatures and increased light-intensity physical activity in toddlers.
- Each 10°C increase in mean temperature was linked to an additional 5.74 minutes of light-intensity physical activity per day.
- No significant associations were observed between neighborhood environmental factors and toddlers' physical activity or sedentary behavior.
Conclusions:
- Neighborhood environmental factors may not be the primary drivers of physical activity and sedentary behavior in toddlers.
- Proximal factors, such as the home environment, might play a more significant role.
- The findings suggest a need for increased indoor physical activity opportunities for toddlers, especially during colder weather.
Purpose:
Examine objectively measured environmental correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in toddlers (12-35 mo).
Methods:
Participants were recruited at immunization appointments in Edmonton, Canada. Physical activity and sedentary time were objectively measured via accelerometers (n = 149). The parents reported screen time and demographic characteristics via a questionnaire (n = 249). Postal codes were used to link neighborhood data via geographic information systems. Neighborhood data included 4 environmental domains: functional (ie, walkability), safety (ie, crime), esthetic (ie, tree density), and destination (ie, cul-de-sac density, wooded area percentage, green space percentage, recreation density, park density). Weather data (temperature and precipitation) were obtained via historical weather records. Multilevel multiple linear regression models were used to account for clustering of participants within neighborhoods and adjustment of demographic variables.
Results:
Each additional 10°C of mean temperature was significantly associated with 5.74 (95% confidence interval, 0.96-10.50) minutes per day of higher light-intensity physical activity, though the effect size was small (f2 = 0.08). No other significant associations were observed.
Conclusions:
The lack of significant findings for neighborhood environment factors suggests proximal factors (eg, features of the home environment) may be more important in predicting toddlers' physical activity and sedentary behavior. More indoor physical activity opportunities may be needed on colder days for toddlers.
