scholarly journals Objectively Assessed Physical Activity of Preschool-Aged Children from Urban Areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarosław Herbert ◽  
Piotr Matłosz ◽  
Justyna Lenik ◽  
Agnieszka Szybisty ◽  
Joanna Baran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Health Priorities ◽  
Preschool Age Children ◽  
Active Lifestyles

Little is known about physical activity (PA) of preschool-age children in Poland through the course of the day. PA monitoring using an accelerometer increases the reliability of measuring daily PA levels and offers a reasonable compromise between accuracy and feasibility of measurement. The aim of the study was to determine the level of physical activity of preschool children (aged 5–6) on the basis of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) index and the number of steps. The physical activity of preschool children was assessed using accelerometery (ActiGraph) in 371 children for up to seven days. The normality of distribution was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to assess the significance of differences. The study group children had an average age of 5.4 years (± 0.6). Boys and girls showed a different level of MVPA index. The results significantly improve the current knowledge of PA in Europe. Promoting active lifestyles in children should be one of the health priorities in developed countries.

scholarly journals Calibration and Evaluation of an Objective Measure of Physical Activity in Preschool Children

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Sirard ◽  
Stewart G. Trost ◽  
Karin A. Pfeiffer ◽  
Marsha Dowda ◽  
Russell R. Pate
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Interobserver Reliability ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Physical Activity Intensity ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Preschool Age Children ◽  
Trained Observers ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Background:The purposes of this study were 1) to establish accelerometer count cutoffs to categorize activity intensity of 3 to 5-y old-children and 2) to evaluate the accelerometer as a measure of children’s physical activity in preschool settings.Methods:While wearing an ActiGraph accelerometer, 16 preschool children performed five, 3-min structured activities. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analyses identified count cutoffs for four physical activity intensities. In 9 preschools, 281 children wore an ActiGraph during observations performed by three trained observers (interobserver reliability = 0.91 to 0.98).Results:Separate count cutoffs for 3, 4, and 5-y olds were established. Sensitivity and specificity for the count cutoffs ranged from 86.7% to 100.0% and 66.7% to 100.0%, respectively. ActiGraph counts/15 s were different among all activities (P < 0.05) except the two sitting activities. Correlations between observed and ActiGraph intensity categorizations at the preschools ranged from 0.46 to 0.70 (P < 0.001).Conclusions:The ActiGraph count cutoffs established and validated in this study can be used to objectively categorize the time that preschool-age children spend in different physical activity intensity levels.

scholarly journals Health behavior of families having preschool-age children

Medicina ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aušra Petrauskienė ◽  
Liudmila Dregval ◽  
Sandra Petkutė
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
University Education ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Fresh Vegetables ◽  
Preschool Age Children ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits ◽  
Watching Tv

The aim of this study is to assess health behavior among families growing up the preschool children. The study was performed in 2007 in Kaunas kindergartens selected randomly. The anonymous questionnaires were filled in by 271 families. Mothers answered to the questions more frequently than fathers did. Fathers were less educated than mothers. It was estimated that preschool-age children used fresh vegetables and fruits insufficiently. Two-thirds of children ate fresh vegetables at least once a day, and only 1 of 20 – 3 times a day. Children ate fresh fruits more frequently than vegetables: every tenth child used them three times a day. The tendency of relation between parents’ education and frequency of eating fresh vegetables and fruits was established. More frequently they were used in families where parents had university education. Physical activity of examined families was insufficient. Half of the parents have never done their morning exercises, and about half of the preschool-age children did their exercises rarely (12.5%) or never (41.4%). The majority of children exercised every day in families where fathers had incomplete secondary/secondary education. Children spend much time passively watching TV or playing with computer. Harmful habits among parents are spread widely in the families: more than one-third of fathers and every thirteenth mother smoke regularly; alcohol is used in the majority of families.

scholarly journals Study determinants of increased Z-Score of Body Mass Index in preschool-age children

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fathi Mahmoud El-Gamal ◽  
R Babader ◽  
M Al-Shaikh ◽  
A Al-Harbi ◽  
J Al-Kaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Socioeconomic Level ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Normal Children ◽  
Socioeconomic Condition ◽  
Stunted Growth ◽  
Preschool Age Children ◽  
Allergic Disorders

Abstract Objective : To determine the association between socioeconomic level, gender, stunting and other characteristics with the presence of overweight/obesity in the preschool children . Result : BMI/Age Z score > + 2 SD was found in 19.5% of the children. It was more common among the children from areas with high socio-economic level (OR: 2.43; 95% CI 1.54, 3.84, and p < 0.000) . obesity was higher among the males (OR 1.76; 95% CI 1.09, 2.8, and p < 0.02) compared to females. The increased duration of breast feeding, was significantly associated with increased BMI/Age Z-score (b= 0.027, p < 0.004). Decreased age of the child was significantly associated with increased BMI/Age Z-score (b= - 0.013, p < 0.004). The children with stunted growth were 6.7 times fold likely to have BMI/Age Z Score > + 2 SD compared to the normal children (OR 6.73; 95% CI 3.79, 10.80, and p < 0.000), after allowing for other factors. No significant association was found between allergic disorders and BMI/Age Z score > + 2 SD. Thus male gender, high socioeconomic condition, increased duration of breast feeding and stunting were significantly associated with overweight/obesity in preschool children

scholarly journals Relationship between smartphone use management and physical activity in leisure time of children aged 4-6

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 477-508
Author(s):  
Bojan Milošević ◽  
Branka Janković ◽  
Milenko Janković
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Sports Activity ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Smartphone Use

We are witnesses to an ever faster and more "aggressive" influence of modern technologies, not only on lives of adults and adolescents, but also children of preschool age. This planetary trend has not bypassed contemporary Serbian society either. The subject of this paper is the analysis of the data collected through the original empirical research in relation to establishing a connection between (1) the dimension of smartphone control imposed by the parents and (2) the dimensions of physical activity of children of preschool age in their leisure time. The paper analyzes the physical activities of preschool children depending on the following variables: children's gender and age (4, 5 or 6 years old), whether the child owns a smartphone or not, whether the child is included in a programmed sports activity; all this in relation to the parents' statement on whether they limit the time of the child's smartphone use. The relationship between these variables is justified by applying the Parental Smartphone Use Management Scale (PSUMS), while Baecke questionnaire is used for the data on preschool children's physical activity in their leisure time. The empirical research was carried out in the first half of 2020 by conducting a survey among the parents of 943 preschool children aged from 4 to 6 attending preschool and daycare centres in the territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (Serbia). Based on the analysis of the collected data, we have deduced the following: 1. a large percentage of children from 4 to 6 do not own their own smartphones (77.9%), but nonetheless they use smartphones on a daily basis (73.4%); 2. there are no differences in children's physical activities in relation to their gender and age; 3. children spend more time on physical activities in their leisure time if they do not have their own smartphones, if they are engaged in an organized sports activity ("recreational schools"), as well as if their parents limit their smartphone use, and 4. children participate more in physical activities in their leisure time if their parents are consistent regarding children's smartphone time management. Recommendations to parents based on our research are that children should be included in free physical activities at the earliest preschool age, and in the structured/programmed ones at a later preschool age, because that is the period most suitable for accepting adequate habits of physical exercise that are carried on into adulthood. In that manner, children will more easily "give up" their passive (sedentary) activities in leisure time, which is usually spent alongside use of smartphone, all with the aim of optimizing the quality of their growing up.

scholarly journals Exploring how Brazilian immigrant mothers living in the USA obtain information about physical activity and screen time for their preschool-aged children: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e021844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Cristina Lindsay ◽  
Carlos André Moura Arruda ◽  
Márcia Maria Tavares Machado ◽  
Gabriela Pereira De Andrade ◽  
Mary L Greaney
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Immigrant Mothers ◽  
Preschool Age Children ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Preschool Aged Children

ObjectiveTo explore how Brazilian-born immigrant mothers living in the USA obtain information about physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) behaviours for their preschool-aged children.Research designFocus group discussions (FGDs) were used to gain an in-depth understanding of research topics. All FGDs were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed verbatim. The Portuguese transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, an iterative process of coding the data in phases to create meaningful patterns.ParticipantsThirty-seven Brazilian-born immigrant mothers of preschool-age children.SettingThis study was conducted in two cities in Massachusetts (MA). Participants were recruited from two predominantly Brazilian churches, local Brazilian businesses and community-based social and health services organisations in the Greater Boston area in MA.ResultsAnalyses revealed that the mothers participating in this study did not initially actively seek out information about PA and ST for their preschool-age children, but that they received unsolicited information about these behaviours from multiple sources including their child’s paediatrician, Women, Infant and Children (WIC) programme staff, members of their social network of Brazilian friends and the Brazilian media. Mothers reported that this unsolicited information increased their knowledge about the importance of making sure their children were physically active and not participating in excessive ST. This increased awareness led mothers to actively seek information about PA and ST behaviours via the internet and through interpersonal communication with fellow Brazilian friends and family.ConclusionsGiven the value Brazilian immigrant mothers placed on the advice of their paediatricians and WIC staff, interventions should consider involving these healthcare professionals, possibly through including endorsement (eg, prescription for PA and maximum ST). More research is needed to ensure Brazilian immigrant mothers’ health and media literacy including their ability to navigate the online environment and to discern the accuracy and quality of information from various web sites.

Assessment of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Preschool-Age Children: Priorities for Research

2001 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet E. Fulton ◽  
Charlene R. Burgeson ◽  
Geraldine R. Perry ◽  
Bettylou Sherry ◽  
Deborah A. Galuska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Current State ◽  
Preschool Age Children ◽  
Public Health Functions

An expert panel workshop had two specific aims: (a) to review the current state of knowledge of existing methods for assessing physical activity and sedentary behavior in order to determine their reliability, validity, feasibility, strengths, and limitations and (b) to set research priorities and recommendations to enable the use of reliable and valid instruments for assessing physical activity and sedentary behavior within the context of three public health functions for children ages 2–5 years. Experts presented four major recommendations for research priorities at the conclusion of the 2-day workshop. The need to develop valid methods for measuring physical activity and sedentary behavior was considered the necessary first step to accomplish meaningful physical activity surveillance, public health research, and intervention research for children ages 2–5 years.

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 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 Secular Changes of Adiposity and Motor Development in Czech Preschool Children: Lifestyle Changes in Fifty-Five Year Retrospective Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petr Sedlak ◽  
Jana Pařízková ◽  
Robert Daniš ◽  
Hana Dvořáková ◽  
Jana Vignerová
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Skinfold Thickness ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Inadequate Food Intake

Secular trends of adiposity and motor development in preschool children since the fifties of the last century up to the beginning of this millennium were analyzed so as to reveal possible changes due to continuously differentiating lifestyle. In preschool children (n=3678) height, weight, skinfold thickness over triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac were measured by Harpenden caliper in 1957, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1990, and 2012. Simultaneously, motor performance was tested by evaluating the achievements in broad jump and throwing a ball, as a marker of adaptation to changing level of physical activity, free games, and exercise. Along the period of five decades the values of skinfold thickness increased significantly until 2012, mainly on the trunk. Simultaneously, the level of motor performance significantly decreased. Modifications of the way of life during the mentioned five decades characterized by sedentarism and inadequate food intake as related to energy output influenced negatively both adiposity and motor performance already in preschool children. Mostly increased deposition of fat on the trunk which is considered as a marker of possible development of metabolic syndrome was apparent already in preschool age, indicating the importance of early intervention concerning also physical activity and availability for exercise since early life.

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