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Defecation Habits in Preschoolers Are Associated with Physical Activity: A Cross-Sectional and Isotemporal

Yoshinori Komeno1,2, Tsutomu Kuchiki1, Yumiko Onodera3

  • 1Faculty of Health Science, Hyogo University, 2301 Hiraokacho Shinzaike, Kakogawa 675-0195, Hyogo, Japan.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Physical activity (PA) in preschoolers is linked to better defecation habits (DF). Replacing sedentary behavior (SB) with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) can improve children's DF.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Behavioral Science
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Limited research exists on the connection between defecation habits (DF) and physical activity (PA) in preschoolers.
  • Understanding this relationship is crucial for promoting healthy development in early childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between sedentary behavior (SB), PA levels, and DF in preschoolers.
  • To quantify the impact of substituting SB with PA on DF using an isotemporal substitution (IS) model.

Main Methods:

  • 166 preschoolers (4-6 years) wore accelerometers to measure SB, light-intensity PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA).
  • Defecation habits (DF) were categorized based on frequency and timing.
  • Multinomial logistic regression and isotemporal substitution models were employed.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in MVPA were observed across different DF groups (F(2) = 3.12, p < 0.05).
  • Replacing 5 minutes of SB with MVPA improved DF (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81-0.97).
  • Conversely, replacing 5 minutes of MVPA with SB worsened DF (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03-1.23).

Conclusions:

  • Physical activity is significantly associated with defecation habits in preschoolers.
  • Increasing MVPA by reducing SB may be a viable strategy to enhance DF in young children.

Keywords:
accelerometerdefecation habitsisotemporal substitution analysispreschoolers

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