Preschoolers' physical activity behaviours: parents' perspectives.
OBJECTIVE
To understand parents' perspectives of their preschoolers' physical activity behaviours.


METHODS
A maximum variation sample of 71 parents explored their preschoolers' physical activity behaviours through 10 semi-structured focus group discussions.


RESULTS
Parents perceived Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines for Children as inadequate; that their preschoolers get and need more than 30-90 minutes of activity daily; and that physical activity habits must be established during the preschool years. Nine barriers against and facilitators toward adequate physical activity were proposed: child's age, weather, daycare, siblings, finances, time, society and safety, parents' impact, and child's activity preferences.


CONCLUSIONS
The need for education and interventions that address current barriers are essential for establishing physical activity as a lifestyle behaviour during early childhood and, consequently, helping to prevent both childhood and adulthood obesity.
Irwin
Jennifer D
JD
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London. jenirwin@uwo.ca
He
Meizi
M
Bouck
L Michelle Sangster
LM
Tucker
Patricia
P
Pollett
Graham L
GL
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D009864:Ontario; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*