Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity in UK Early Childhood Education and Care Settings: A Cross-Sectional Study

Low levels of physical activity (PA) in early childhood can have an impact on children's healthy development and increase the risk of a range of chronic conditions in later life. Accelerometer-measured PA data within and outside of early childhood education and care (ECEC), together with demographic data, are needed to support policy changes and intervention development for the United Kingdom.

Accelerometer data for 419 children aged 2-4 years (49.6% male) attending UK ECEC settings were analyzed. Mixed-effects linear regression models were fitted to compare levels of PA between weekdays attending an ECEC, weekdays not attending an ECEC, and weekend days. The proportion of children meeting international guidelines for PA and probability of children meeting these guidelines were analyzed.

Total PA was significantly higher on ECEC weekdays than non-ECEC weekdays (mean difference: -14.6 min; 95% CI, -20.8 to -8.4; P < .001) and weekends (mean difference: -11.5; 95% CI, -19.5 to -3.5; P = .005). Girls had lower TPA on ECEC weekdays (adjusted MD -14.02 [-22.35, -7.48], P < .001) and activity for all children increased with months of age (adjusted MD 1.61 [1.11, 2.11], P < .001). Findings were similar for non-ECEC weekdays. Less than a quarter of children (23%) met the guideline of 180 minutes of total PA per day and 2.4% of children met the guidelines for 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous PA. Fewer girls achieved the recommended total PA (odds ratio: 0.53; 95% CI, 0.29-0.97; P = .038) and guidelines were more likely to be met in older children (odds ratio: 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06-1.17; P < .001).

Early years children were more active on days attending ECEC settings. Young children in the United Kingdom are largely not meeting the recommended activity levels within ECEC or home environments.