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Daily Physical Activity Among Toddlers: Hip and Wrist Accelerometer Assessments
Soyang Kwon1, Kyle Honegger2, Maryann Mason3
1Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. skwon@luriechildrens.org.
Insights
Hip-worn accelerometers are more feasible for measuring physical activity (PA) in toddlers than wrist-worn devices. This study found hip placement yielded more valid data and higher acceptability for young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physical activity measurement
- Wearable sensor technology in early childhood
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) habits established in early childhood track over time.
- Investigating PA in children under 3 years using wearable sensors is emerging.
- Understanding PA in toddlers is crucial for long-term health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of hip- versus wrist-worn accelerometers for PA measurement in toddlers.
- To report accelerometer-derived PA metrics in toddlers.
- To compare data validity and user acceptability between hip and wrist accelerometer placement.
Main Methods:
- 22 toddlers (13-35 months) participated, wearing ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers on both wrist and hip.
- Mothers affixed sensors during waking hours for four days and completed acceptability surveys.
- Data validity (≥3 valid days) and mother-reported ease of use were compared between placements.
Main Results:
- 19 toddlers (86%) provided valid hip data versus 14 (64%) for wrist data (p=0.16).
- 18 mothers (82%) found hip wear easy versus 13 (59%) for wrist wear (p=0.19).
- Average daily PA: 161 min light-intensity PA (LPA) and 47 min moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA).
Conclusions:
- Hip placement of accelerometers is more feasible than wrist placement for toddlers.
- Hip placement demonstrated higher data validity and user acceptability in this age group.
- Further research can refine PA measurement in early childhood using validated hip-worn sensors.
Abstract:
Physical activity (PA) habits seem to track over time from as young as early childhood. For children under age 3 years, wearable sensor-measured PA levels have begun to be investigated. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of using hip- vs. wrist-worn accelerometers, and to report accelerometer-derived PA metrics among toddlers. A convenience sample of 22 toddlers aged 13 to 35 months and their mothers were recruited for this study. ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers were attached to wrist bands and waist belts. The mothers were asked to affix a wrist band and a waist belt to their participating children during waking hours for four days. They also completed an acceptability survey. Of the 22 toddlers, 19 (86%) had ≥ 3 valid days of hip data, while only 14 (64%) did so for wrist data (p = 0.16). In terms of acceptability, 18 mothers (82%) responded that the 4-day hip wear was easy, while only 13 (59%) responded that the 4-day wrist wear was easy (p = 0.19). Daily light-intensity PA (LPA) was on average 161 min, and daily moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) was on average 47 min, as determined using published hip accelerometer cut-points. There were no significant differences in LPA or MVPA by age or by sex. In conclusion, this study suggests that hip placement of an ActiGraph accelerometer is more feasible than wrist placement among toddlers.
