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Published on: March 7, 2019
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Physical Activity Levels of Early Childhood Educators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Myranda Hawthorne1, Bayley V Inniss1, Rachel Heydon2
1Graduate Program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Child Health and Physical Activity Lab, School of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Child: Care, Health and Development
|March 18, 2026
Summary
Early childhood educators often meet or exceed physical activity guidelines. This highlights their potential to positively influence children's activity levels in childcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Early childhood educators (ECEs) are crucial for promoting healthy behaviors, including physical activity (PA), in young children.
- Understanding ECEs' own PA levels is vital for their role as active behavior models in childcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze physical activity (PA) levels among ECEs.
- To determine the proportion of ECEs meeting World Health Organization (WHO) PA recommendations.
- To examine the association between ECEs' and children's PA.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 studies involving 5291 participants.
- Searched seven databases for studies on PA, childcare, and childhood.
- Pooled data for moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and WHO guideline adherence; synthesized associations narratively.
Main Results:
- ECEs averaged 223.6 min/week of MVPA, exceeding WHO guidelines but with high variability.
- 52.6% of ECEs met adult 24-hour PA guidelines, with significant study-level variation.
- Modest, generally positive associations were found between ECEs' and children's PA levels.
Conclusions:
- Many ECEs meet or exceed WHO PA guidelines, confirming their potential as active role models.
- Enhancing ECEs' capacity for movement-rich environments can benefit both educators and children.
- Collaborative approaches are key to maximizing the impact of ECEs on children's physical activity.
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