Level of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in the early childhood population

Early childhood educators’ (ECEs) self-efficacy is often predictive of their ability and likelihood of promoting healthy activity behaviors in childcare settings. To date, ECEs’ physical activity and sedentary behavior–related self-efficacy has been measured in a variety of ways in childcare-based research, creating difficulty when comparing across studies. To identify the different approaches ECEs’ self-efficacy is assessed, the current study aimed to compare all existing tools that quantitatively measure physical activity and sedentary behavior–related self-efficacy of pre- and in-service ECEs. Seven online databases were searched for original, peer-reviewed, English-written journal articles. Articles were deemed eligible if they employed a tool which measured physical activity and/or sedentary behavior–related self-efficacy of pre- or in-service ECEs. A total of 16 studies were included in this review, and 13 unique tools were identified. All tools measured task self-efficacy ( n = 13), while only 1 tool measured barrier self-efficacy, and approximately half of the tools ( n = 7; 54%) reported on the validity and reliability. Great variability existed among the self-efficacy items included in the tools; however, common constructs included: teaching/leading physical activity, fundamental movement skill development, and physical activity programming. Very few tools mentioned sedentary behavior ( n = 2) and outdoor/risky play ( n = 2). Given the low number of studies that tested validity and reliability of their self-efficacy tools, the lack of consideration for barrier self-efficacy, and the paucity of tools that fully encompassed physical activity, sedentary behavior, and outdoor play considerations for ECEs, future research is needed to validate a new, reliable tool.

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Pattern of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Early Childhood

International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences ◽

10.13189/saj.2021.091321 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4A) ◽

pp. 125-129

Author(s):

Adang Suherman ◽

Nur Indri Rahayu ◽

Jajat Jajat ◽

Mohammad Zaky

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Sedentary Behavior

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Relating outdoor play to sedentary behavior and physical activity in youth - results from a cohort study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11754-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Carina Nigg ◽

Claudia Niessner ◽

Claudio R. Nigg ◽

Doris Oriwol ◽

Steffen C. E. Schmidt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Screen Time ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Outdoor Play ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Research Gaps ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Outdoor play, sedentary behavior (SB), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are related to youth’s health, however, there are research gaps regarding 1) associations between outdoor play, SB, and MVPA across a broad pediatric age range (6–17 years), and 2) longitudinal associations between outdoor play, SB, and MVPA across childhood and adolescence. Two studies were conducted to address those research gaps: Study 1 aimed to investigate relationships between outdoor play and accelerometer-assessed SB and MVPA in a cross-sectional nationwide sample of children and adolescents in Germany. Study 2 aimed to investigate prospective associations between outdoor play and self-reported screen-time SB and MVPA and in a sample of children with three measurement timepoints across 11 years. Methods Data were obtained of the German national representative Motorik-Modul (MoMo) Study and the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). In Study 1, N = 2278 participants (6–17 years) were included with self-reported outdoor play and accelerometer-assessed SB and MVPA. Associations were examined via multiple linear regressions. In Study 2, N = 570 participants (baseline: 4–7 years) were included in the longitudinal analysis with follow-ups six and 11 years later. Screen-time SB (TV watching and PC/Gaming), MVPA, and outdoor play were self-reported. Associations were investigated through a path prediction model. Results Study 1 showed that compared to <1 h outdoor play, higher engagement in daily outdoor play was related to lower SB (1-2 h: − 9.75 min/day, P = 0.017; ≥2 h: − 17.78 min/day, P < 0.001) and higher MVPA (≥2 h: + 3.87 min/day, P = 0.001). The cross-sectional relationship between MVPA and outdoor play was moderated by sex (in favor of males) and age (in favor of younger children). Study 2 showed that outdoor play in early childhood negatively predicted PC use/Gaming in later childhood, but was unrelated to MVPA. Conclusion In Study 1, outdoor play was negatively related to SB cross-sectionally. In Study 2, outdoor play in early childhood was negatively related to PC and Gaming time in later childhood. Thus, providing outdoor play opportunities, especially during early childhood, has potential to prevent SB. Future research should investigate longitudinal relationships using device-based assessments for SB and MVPA.

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Development of WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep for Children Less Than 5 Years of Age

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2019-0457 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 96-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Juana Willumsen ◽

Fiona Bull

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Early Childhood Development ◽

Action Plan ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Childhood Development ◽

World Health ◽

Assessment Development ◽

Health Organization

Background: Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for global mortality and a contributor to the increase in overweight and obesity. The Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity identified the need for guidance on physical activity, particularly for early childhood (<5 y), a period of rapid physical and cognitive development. Methods: The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the first global guidelines on physical activity, sedentary, and sleep behaviors, building upon high-quality systematic reviews. The WHO guideline process is a rigorous, systematic, and transparent method for the development of recommendations, using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Evidence to Decision framework. It takes into consideration the strength of the evidence as well as values and preferences, benefits and harms, equity and human rights. Results: The authors summarize the first global guidelines on time spent in physical activity, sedentary behavior (including screen time and time spent restrained), and sleep patterns in infants (birth to 1 y of age), toddlers (1–2.9 y of age), and preschoolers (3–4.9 y of age). Conclusions: WHO is actively disseminating and supporting implementation of these guidelines by national adoption and adaptation, through links with early childhood development and the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030.

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Temporal relationships between device-derived sedentary behavior, physical activity, and sleep in early childhood

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsac008 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Christine W St. Laurent ◽

Chloe Andre ◽

Jennifer F Holmes ◽

Nicole D Fields ◽

Rebecca M C Spencer

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Multilevel Models ◽

Total Activity ◽

Sleep Efficiency ◽

Healthy Behaviors ◽

Ideal Composition ◽

Lagged Effects

Abstract Study Objectives Understanding the ideal composition of a child’s day requires a better understanding of the relations between wake behaviors (sedentary behavior [SB], physical activity [PA]) and sleep. Here we examine between- and within-person temporal associations between daytime wake behaviors and overnight sleep in early childhood, an important age when healthy behaviors are initiated and 24-hour behaviors are largely determined by caregivers. Methods Daily, repeated measures of wake behavior and overnight sleep were assessed via wrist-worn actigraphy (mean=9 days/nights) in 240 children (50.8±9.8 months). Multilevel models with lagged effects were used to examine the temporal associations between wake and overnight sleep measures and adjusted for daily nap duration, age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Results Between-person associations for sleep outcomes were negative between MVPA and total activity for sleep efficiency (SE). Between-person associations for wake outcomes were positive between sleep duration and light PA, and negative between SE and both MVPA and total PA. When children obtained higher SE relative to their individual average, they were more likely to engage in less SB and greater MVPA and total PA the next day. Conclusions Generally, days with greater activity or sleep were not associated with greater subsequent sleep or PA. Most subsequent behaviors were not influenced by children achieving higher activity or sleep relative to their individual average levels, although higher sleep efficiency was beneficially associated with next day wake behaviors. Future analyses with young children should consider within-person associations and could investigate lagged effects beyond one day.

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Early Childhood Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Indonesia: Objectively Measure Using Accelerometer

Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Sport Science, Health, and Physical Education (ICSSHPE 2019) ◽

10.2991/ahsr.k.200214.114 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Adang Suherman ◽

Jajat ◽

Nur Indri Rahayu ◽

Kuston Sultoni ◽

Risma Risma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Childhood Physical Activity

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The Associations Between Environmental Characteristics of Early Childhood Education and Care Centers and 1-Year Change in Toddlers’ Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2019-0066 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. 1000-1006

Author(s):

Zhiguang Zhang ◽

Eduarda Sousa-Sá ◽

João R. Pereira ◽

Anthony D. Okely ◽

Xiaoqi Feng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Early Childhood Education ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Program Structure ◽

Environmental Characteristics ◽

Childhood Education ◽

Education And Care ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

Background: This study examined the associations between environmental characteristics of early childhood education and care (ECEC) centers and 1-year change in toddlers’ physical activity and sedentary behavior while at the centers. Methods: Data from 292 toddlers from the GET-UP! study were analyzed. Environmental characteristics of ECEC centers were rated using the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-revised edition at baseline. Children’s physical activity and sedentary behavior in the centers were assessed using activPAL devices, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Linear mixed models were performed to examine the associations between the environmental characteristics and change in the proportion of time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior. Results: Compared with baseline, children spent a higher proportion of time in sedentary behavior (sitting) but a lower proportion of time in standing and physical activity (stepping) while at ECEC centers, at 1-year follow-up. The environmental characteristics “interaction” (B = −1.39; P = .01) and “program structure” (B = −1.15; P = .04) were negatively associated with change in the proportion of time spent in physical activity. Conclusion: Better “interaction” and “program structure” may preclude children’s physical activity from declining over time and may be considered important features to target in future interventions in ECEC centers aiming at promoting active lifestyles.

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