The Effects of Peer Presence on Variables Maintaining Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Children

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 799-816
Author(s):  
Tiffany Gonzales ◽  
Marianne L. Jackson ◽  
Amanda Nicolson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Multielement Design ◽  
Relevant Variables ◽  
Effective Condition ◽  
Interactive Play

An increasing number of children fail to meet the recommended levels of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of peer presence on variables that have been shown to evoke moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children. We recorded the levels of MVPA in three preschool children across no adult, attention, and interactive play conditions, with a peer present and absent. All conditions were compared with a naturalistic baseline and presented in a multielement design with a brief reversal to baseline and reintroduction of the most effective condition. All three participants displayed most MVPA during the interactive play condition with a peer present. This study furthers research on the identification of variables that evoke MVPA in young children and emphasizes the interaction of peer presence and contingent social positive reinforcement as relevant variables.

scholarly journals Patterns of Objectively Measured Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Preschool Children

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1233-1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mareesa O’Dwyer ◽  
Stuart J. Fairclough ◽  
Nicola Diane Ridgers ◽  
Zoe Rebecca Knowles ◽  
Lawrence Foweather ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
After School ◽  
Home Environments ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
Full Day

Background:Identifying periods of the day which are susceptible to varying levels of physical activity (PA) may help identify key times to intervene and potentially change preschool children’s PA behaviors. This study assessed variability of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during weekdays and weekend days among preschool children.Methods:One hundred and eighty-eight children (aged 3 to 5 years; 53.2% boys) from a northwest English city wore uni-axial accelerometers for 7 consecutive days.Results:Higher levels of MVPA were recorded in boys, particularly those who attended preschool for a half day. Children who attended preschool for a full day engaged in 11.1 minutes less MVPA than children who attended for a half day. After-school hours were characterized by a decrease in activity for all groups. Patterns of activity during the weekend were smoother with less variability.Conclusion:This study identified discrete segments of the week, specifically afterschool and during the weekend, when preschoolers engage in low levels of PA. Higher levels of MVPA among children who attended preschool for less time each day suggests that the structured preschool environment is related to decreased activity. Consequently, there is a need for interventions in young children to focus on school and home environments.

scholarly journals The impact of body mass index and sociodemographic factors on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviors of women with young children: A cross-sectional examination

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 174550651989782
Author(s):  
Danae M Dinkel ◽  
Nicholas Hein ◽  
Kailey Snyder ◽  
Mohammad Siahpush ◽  
Shannon Maloney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Nationally Representative

Objectives: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity provides multiple benefits to women after childbirth. To achieve these benefits, the recommendation that adults obtain, 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week and reduce sedentary behaviors, also applies to women in the post-partum phase of the life span. However, research examining the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviors of women with young children (0–2 years) is limited. A greater understanding of these behaviors from a nationally representative sample is needed. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to determine the levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviors of a nationally representative sample of women with young children within the United States. A secondary objective was to examine the influence of body mass index and sociodemographic factors on these behaviors. Methods: Cross-sectional data from four cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007–2008, 2009–2010, 2011–2012, and 2013–2014) were used for analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated and a generalized linear model was used to investigate associations between mean minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, sedentary activity, body mass index, and sociodemographic variables. Discussion: Women with young children (n = 477) obtained 634 min in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week and this was positively associated with having a higher income (p < 0.001) and the number of children in the home (p < 0.001). In total, 62% of women were meeting the World Health Organization guidelines for aerobic activity. Lower odds of achieving guidelines was associated with being Black (p = 0.004), Mexican American (p = 0.009), or married (p = 0.042) compared with being White or not married. Finally, women accumulated ~5 h of sedentary activity per day, with higher levels associated with race (p = 0.005), education (p = 0.022), and number of children within the home (p < 0.001). Research efforts should continue to focus on strategies to help non-adhering women with young children achieve the physical activity recommendations and reduce time spent in sedentary behaviors.

Physical activity during treatment in children with leukemia: a pilot study

2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susana Aznar ◽  
Anthony L. Webster ◽  
Alejandro F. San Juan ◽  
Carolina Chamorro-Viña ◽  
José L. Maté-Muñoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Family

The purpose of this pilot study was to measure physical activity (PA) levels in children undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to compare the results with those from age-matched healthy children. We used the MTI Actigraph accelerometer to determine PA (during a 1 week period) in children (n = 7; age = 4–7 y) undergoing maintenance treatment for ALL and in age-matched controls (n = 7). The number of children accumulating at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for 5 or more days of the week was 3 for the control group, whereas no children with ALL met this criterion. Significantly lower levels of total weekly time of MVPA were seen in children being treated for ALL (328 ± 107 min) than in controls (506 ± 175 min) (p < 0.05). When weekday data was analyzed, the ALL patients also had significantly lower mean daily times of MVPA (49 ± 23 min vs. 79 ± 25 min). It is thus important that young ALL sufferers are encouraged to participate in appropriate sports, games, and physical activities both in the family and school environments that will prime them with positive attitudes to PA during the critical early years of life.

scholarly journals Intervention Strategies to Elicit MVPA in Preschoolers during Outdoor Play

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle D. Wadsworth ◽  
Jerraco L. Johnson ◽  
Alexandra V. Carroll ◽  
Melissa M. Pangelinan ◽  
Mary E. Rudisill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Outdoor Play ◽  
Play Intervention ◽  
Group Assignment ◽  
Head Start Center

Approximately 50% of preschoolers do not meet physical activity recommendations and children who reside in low-income rural communities may be further at risk for higher levels of sedentary behavior. Outdoor play is essential for preschool children; however, literature is unclear as to which types of interventions elicit moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for all preschoolers. The aim of this study was to determine which type of intervention, physical activity or fundamental motor skill focus, elicits MVPA during outdoor play. Ninety-eight preschool children (M age = 4.48 years) from one Head Start center participated in an outdoor play intervention two days per week for 7 weeks. Classes were randomly assigned to one of four groups: fundamental motor skill focus (FMS), physical activity focus (PA), FMS and PA (FMS + PA), and control. An accelerometer worn on the hip measured MVPA. Results showed that age, sex and group assignment contributed to MVPA at the beginning of the intervention and age, sex, group assignment and MVPA during the beginning of the intervention contributed to MVPA at the end of the intervention. Overall, the FMS + PA group elicited MVPA from males and females of all ages. Interventions that combine both FMS and PA may reduce physical activity disparities in preschool children.

scholarly journals In-school and Out-of-school Physical Activity in Preschool Children

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 606-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. O’Neill ◽  
Karin A. Pfeiffer ◽  
Marsha Dowda ◽  
Russell R. Pate
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Full Sample ◽  
Repeated Measures Analysis ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity ◽  
Out Of School

Background:Little is known about the relationship between children’s physical activity (PA) in preschool (in-school) and outside of preschool (out-of-school). This study described this relationship.Methods:Participants were 341 children (4.6 ± 0.3 years) in 16 preschools. Accelerometers measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA) in-school and out-of-school. In the full sample, Pearson correlation was used to describe associations between in-school and out-of-school PA. In addition, children were categorized as meeting or not meeting a PA guideline during school. MVPA and TPA were compared between the 2 groups and in-school and out-of-school using 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance.Results:In the full sample, in-school and out-of-school PA were positively correlated for MVPA (r = .13, P = .02) and TPA (r = .15, P = .01). Children who met the guideline in-school remained comparably active out-of-school. However, those who did not meet the guideline were more active out-of-school than in-school. The groups were active at comparable levels while out-of-school. Identical patterns were seen for MVPA and TPA.Conclusions:Children’s in-school PA was positively associated with out-of-school PA. Children who did not meet the guideline in-school were more active out-of-school than in-school, suggesting preschool and classroom factors may reduce some children’s PA in-school.

The Role of the Physical Environment in Promoting Physical Activity in Children Across Different Group Compositions

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 837-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy A. Larson ◽  
Matthew P. Normand ◽  
Allison J. Morley ◽  
Kristin M. Hustyi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Functional Analysis ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Test Conditions ◽  
Important Health ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Group Compositions

Physical activity is an important health-related behavior, but the environmental variables that promote or abate it are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to conduct a functional analysis evaluating the effect of the physical environment on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in preschool children, and to evaluate the utility of the methodology across different group compositions. The Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children was used to define the test conditions and the measures of physical activity for eight preschool children. The functional analysis was implemented according to a multi-element experimental design. The highest levels of MVPA were observed when fixed playground equipment was available and at least one peer was present. Moreover, differential responding was observed across group compositions. The implications of this methodology and these findings on the development of interventions to increase MVPA are discussed.

Feasibility and Efficacy of a “Move and Learn” Physical Activity Curriculum in Preschool Children

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stewart G. Trost ◽  
Bronwyn Fees ◽  
David Dzewaltowski
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Language Arts ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Effective Strategy ◽  
Early Childhood Curriculum ◽  
Preschool Curriculum ◽  
To Receive

Background:This study evaluated the effect of a “move and learn” curriculum on physical activity (PA) in 3- to 5-year-olds attending a half-day preschool program.Methods:Classrooms were randomized to receive an 8-week move and learn program or complete their usual curriculum. In intervention classes, opportunities for PA were integrated into all aspects of the preschool curriculum, including math, science, language arts, and nutrition education. Changes in PA were measured objectively using accelerometry and direct observation.Results:At the completion of the 8-week intervention, children completing the move and learn curriculum exhibited significantly higher levels of classroom moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than children completing their usual curriculum. Significant differences were also noted for classroom VPA over the final 2 weeks.Conclusion:The results suggest that integrating movement experiences into an existing early childhood curriculum is feasible and a potentially effective strategy for promoting PA in preschool children.

scholarly journals Factors Related to Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Preschool Children

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin A. Pfeiffer ◽  
Marsha Dowda ◽  
Kerry L. McIver ◽  
Russell R. Pate
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Parent Perceptions ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Parent Perception ◽  
Athletic Competence ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
Objectively Measured Physical Activity

This study examined correlates of objectively measured physical activity (PA) in a diverse sample of preschool children (age 3–5 years; n = 331). Accelerometer min·hr−1 of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and nonsedentary activity (NSA) were the outcome measures. Correlations among potential correlates and PA ranged from r = −0.12−0.26. Correlates in the final MVPA model were age, race, sex, BMI Z score, and parent perception of athletic competence, explaining 37% of the variance. The NSA model included the latter two variables, explaining 35% of the variance. Demographic factors were correlates of PA; parent perceptions of children’s competence may be important regarding preschoolers’ PA.

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