Physical Activity Trajectories in Early Childhood: Investigating Personal, Environmental, and Participation Factors

To determine personal, environmental, and participation factors that predict children's physical activity (PA) trajectories from preschool through to school years.

Two hundred seventy-nine children (4.5 ± 0.9 yr, 52% boys) were included in this study. Physical activity was collected via accelerometry at six different timepoints over 6.3 ± 0.6 yr. Time-stable variables were collected at baseline and included child's sex and ethnicity. Time-dependent variables were collected at six timepoints (age, years) and included household income (CAD), parental total PA, parental influence on PA, and parent-reported child's quality of life, child's sleep, and child's amount of weekend outdoor PA. Group-based trajectory modeling was applied to identify trajectories of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA (TPA). Multivariable regression analysis identified personal, environmental, and participation factors associated with trajectory membership.

Three trajectories were identified for each of MVPA and TPA. Group 3 in MVPA and TPA expressed the most PA over time, with increased activity from timepoints 1 to 3, and then declining from timepoints 4 to 6. For the group 3 MVPA trajectory, male sex (β estimate, 3.437; P = 0.001) and quality of life (β estimate, 0.513; P < 0.001) were the only significant correlates for group membership. For the group 3 TPA trajectory, male sex (β estimate, 1.970; P = 0.035), greater household income (β estimate, 94.615; P < 0.001), and greater parental total PA (β estimate, 0.574; P = 0.023) increased the probability of belonging to this trajectory group.

These findings suggest a need for interventions and public health campaigns to increase opportunities for PA engagement in girls starting in the early years. Policies and programs to address financial inequities, positive parental modeling, and improving quality of life are also warranted.