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Behavioral, Environmental, and Demographic Factors Associated with Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Infants.
Emily R Shull1, Marsha Dowda1, Kerry L McIver1
1Department of Exercise Science and Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
Childhood Obesity (Print)
|February 10, 2022
Summary
Infant physical activity (PA) is linked to motor skills and environment. Factors like tummy time and childcare settings influence PA levels in 6-7-month-olds.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Understanding physical activity (PA) in infants is crucial for healthy development.
- Factors influencing infant PA are not fully understood, necessitating objective measurement.
- Early life PA may set patterns for lifelong activity levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively measure physical activity (PA) in 6-7-month-old infants.
- To identify demographic, behavioral, and environmental correlates of infant PA.
- To explore associations between PA and motor developmental status.
Main Methods:
- 143 mother-infant dyads from Southeastern US counties participated.
- Infant PA was measured using accelerometers at ankle and waist sites.
- Motor development, anthropometrics, and environmental factors were assessed via questionnaires and direct measures.
Main Results:
- Infant PA counts were higher at the ankle (77,700 counts/hr) than the waist (32,500 counts/hr).
- Advanced motor development, home-based childcare, increased tummy time, and white racial/ethnic background were associated with higher PA.
- Objectively measured PA showed significant associations with various infant and environmental factors.
Conclusions:
- Infant PA is objectively measurable and associated with motor development and environmental factors.
- Parental and caregiver-influenced factors play a role in infant physical activity.
- Further longitudinal research is needed to understand the developmental trajectory of these associations.
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