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Trajectories of Physical Activity and Screen Media Use in Toddlers and Related Parenting Practices: Child and Mother
Soyang Kwon1, Nidhi S Gopagani1, Isabella R Zylka1
1Northwestern University.
Insights
Toddlers significantly increased screen time during their second year, while physical activity remained stable. Parenting practices encouraging activity and limiting screen use are linked to healthier behaviors in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) and screen media use are crucial for healthy early childhood development.
- Understanding developmental trajectories of these behaviors and their links to parenting is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate 12-month trajectories of physical activity (PA) and screen time in toddlers.
- To examine associations between these behaviors and parenting practices.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study (Child and Mother PA Study - CAMPAS) with 139 toddler-mother dyads.
- Objective PA measurement (accelerometers) and self-reported screen time at 12, 18, and 24 months.
- Validated questionnaires assessed PA-encouraging and screen time-limiting parenting practices.
- Mixed-effects and regression models analyzed trajectories and associations.
Main Results:
- Toddlers' moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) remained stable (approx. 73-80 min/day).
- Screen time significantly increased from 27 min/day at 12 months to 59 min/day at 24 months.
- Higher PA-encouraging parenting scores correlated with more daily MVPA (9 min/point increase).
- Higher screen time-limiting parenting scores correlated with less daily screen time (45 min/point decrease).
Conclusions:
- Toddlers experience a significant rise in screen time but stable PA during the second year.
- Parenting practices are demonstrably associated with toddlers' PA and screen time levels.
- Interventions promoting supportive parenting practices can foster healthy PA and screen use development.
Background:
Physical activity (PA) and screen media use are key behaviors for healthy development in early childhood. This study aimed to investigate 12-month trajectories of PA and screen time among toddlers and examine their associations with parenting practices.
Methods:
The Child and Mother PA Study (CAMPAS) recruited toddler-mother dyads in the US Chicago area from 2022-2024. Assessments were conducted at approximately 12, 18, and 24 months of age (Waves 1-3). Toddlers' PA was measured using hip-worn ActiGraph accelerometers and their screen time was mother-reported. The PA Parenting Practices for Preschoolers (PAPPP) questionnaire was used to assess PA-encouraging and screen time-limiting parenting practices. Mixed-effects models were fit to model trajectories of moderate and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) and screen time over age. Multivariable regression models examined the associations between toddlers' MVPA and screen time and their parents' parenting practice scores.
Results:
The CAMPAS included 139 toddler participants (74 females). At Waves 1-3, average age was 13.6 (SD=1.7), 19.9 (SD=1.6), and 26.9 (SD=2.1) months, respectively. Average MVPA was 74 (95%CI=70-79), 73 (95%CI=69-77), and 80 (95%CI=75-85) minutes/day, respectively, with no significant change over time (p=0.13). Average screen time was 27 (95%CI=21-33), 46 (95%CI=38-55), and 59 (95%CI=50-69) minutes/day, respectively, significantly increasing over time (p<0.01). Every one-point higher PA-encouraging parenting practice score was associated with 9 additional minutes of daily MVPA (95%CI=2-15). For every one-point higher screen time-limiting parenting practice score was associated with 45 fewer minutes of daily screen time (95%CI=38-52).
Conclusion:
During the second year of life, toddlers exhibited a substantial increase in screen time but minimal changes in MVPA. Parenting practices were associated with toddlers' MVPA and screen time. Findings suggest that promoting parenting practices that encourage PA and limit screen time may be an effective intervention strategy to support healthy PA and screen use development during this critical developmental period.
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