STROBE StatementâChecklist of items included in this study. (DOCX 28 kb

Anthony D. Okely

David Crawford

Jo Salmon

Kylie D. Hesketh

Trina Hinkley

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

PubMed

Crossref

Preschool and childcare center characteristics associated with children’s physical activity during care hours: an observational study

BACKGROUND: Preschools and childcare settings offer opportunities to promote adequate levels of physical activity. Research is needed to identify the key features of these settings to optimize young children\u27s activity. The aims of this study were to determine if differences existed in preschool children\u27s physical activity during care hours compared with outside care hours and to examine a comprehensive range of potential center-based correlates of physical activity for preschool boys and girls. METHODS: Data are from the Healthy Active Preschool and Primary Years study: 71 childcare centers, 65 preschools and 1002 preschool children. Percent of time in total (light- to vigorous-intensity) physical activity was measured using Actigraph GT1M accelerometers. Center physical environment characteristics, policies and practices were assessed by trained research staff using comprehensive audit tools. Data were collected in 2008/9 and were analyzed separately for boys and girls in Stata using multilevel mixed effects models. RESULTS: Boys and girls were less active during care than outside care hours (51.1&nbsp;% vs. 52.4&nbsp;%, p&thinsp;=&thinsp;0.01; 48.0&nbsp;% vs. 51.5&nbsp;%, p&thinsp;&lt;&thinsp;0.0001, respectively). In the final adjusted models, number of outdoor spaces with natural ground coverings was associated with boys\u27 physical activity (coeff&thinsp;=&thinsp;0.477, 95&nbsp;% CI 0.089, 0.867) and the amount of time girls spent indoors before going outdoors was inversely associated with their physical activity (coeff&thinsp;=&thinsp;-0.035, 95&nbsp;% CI -0.065, -0.004). The models explained 12 and 10&nbsp;% of boys\u27 and girls\u27 physical activity during care hours, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified that children are significantly less active during than outside care hours. Few center-based correlates of preschool children\u27s physical activity were identified. Future research should explore other aspects of centers, such as what children actually do while they are outside, and broader potential influences on children\u27s behaviours including social, cultural and policy contexts within which centers operate

Hinkley, Trina

Salmon, Jo

Crawford, David

Okely, Anthony D.

Hesketh, Kylie D.

Deakin Research Online

Preschool and childcare center characteristics associated with children\u27s physical activity during care hours: an observational study

Background: Preschools and childcare settings offer opportunities to promote adequate levels of physical activity. Research is needed to identify the key features of these settings to optimize young children\u27s activity. The aims of this study were to determine if differences existed in preschool children\u27s physical activity during care hours compared with outside care hours and to examine a comprehensive range of potential center-based correlates of physical activity for preschool boys and girls. Methods: Data are from the Healthy Active Preschool and Primary Years study: 71 childcare centers, 65 preschools and 1002 preschool children. Percent of time in total (light- to vigorous-intensity) physical activity was measured using Actigraph GT1M accelerometers. Center physical environment characteristics, policies and practices were assessed by trained research staff using comprehensive audit tools. Data were collected in 2008/9 and were analyzed separately for boys and girls in Stata using multilevel mixed effects models. Results: Boys and girls were less active during care than outside care hours (51.1 % vs. 52.4 %, p = 0.01; 48.0 % vs. 51.5 %, p \u3c 0.0001, respectively). In the final adjusted models, number of outdoor spaces with natural ground coverings was associated with boys\u27 physical activity (coeff = 0.477, 95 % CI 0.089, 0.867) and the amount of time girls spent indoors before going outdoors was inversely associated with their physical activity (coeff = −0.035, 95 % CI −0.065, −0.004). The models explained 12 and 10 % of boys\u27 and girls\u27 physical activity during care hours, respectively. Conclusions: This study identified that children are significantly less active during than outside care hours. Few center-based correlates of preschool children\u27s physical activity were identified. Future research should explore other aspects of centers, such as what children actually do while they are outside, and broader potential influences on children\u27s behaviours including social, cultural and policy contexts within which centers operat

Okely, Anthony D

Hesketh, Kylie

Research Online

English

Springer - Publisher Connector

Trina Hinkley (482217)

Jo Salmon (283880)

David Crawford (229134)

Anthony Okely (3424568)

Kylie Hesketh (81263)

FigShare

Additional file 1: of Preschool and childcare center characteristics associated with childrenâs physical activity during care hours: an observational study

https://figshare.com/articles/Additional_file_1_of_Preschool_and_childcare_center_characteristics_associated_with_children_s_physical_activity_during_care_hours_an_observational_study/4334846

Preschool and childcare center characteristics associated with children’s physical activity during care hours: an observational study

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Deakin Research Online

Research Online

Springer - Publisher Connector

Springer - Publisher Connector

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