Work

Social and Environmental Factors Associated With Preschoolers’ Nonsedentary Physical Activity

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: The twofold purposes of the investigation were (a) to describe with direct observation data the physical activity behaviors and the accompanying social and environmental events of those behaviors for children in preschools and (b) to determine which contextual conditions were predictors of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and nonsedentary physical activity (i.e., light activity + MVPA) for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children during their outdoor play. The results indicate that preschoolers' physical activity is characterized as sedentary in nature throughout their preschool day (i.e., 89% sedentary, 8% light activity, and 3% MVPA). During outdoor play periods, when children are most likely to be physically active, some contextual and social circumstances better predict their physical activity. Implications for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers are discussed.

Source: Child Development

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2008.01245.x

Authors: William H Brown, Karin A Pfeiffer, Kerry L McIver, Marsha Dowda, Cheryl L Addy, Russell R Pate

Institutions: University of South Carolina, Michigan State University, East Carolina University

Language: English

Topic: Physical Activity and Health

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development