title: An observational study on socio-economic and ethnic differences in indicators of sedentary behavior and physical activity in preschool children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We studied associations between social disadvantage and indicators of sedentary behavior and physical activity at preschool age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 4688 children enrolled in a birth cohort in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, between 2002 and 2006 were analyzed. Indicators of sedentary behavior (watching television ≥ 2 h/day and sitting in a buggy ≥ 0.5 h/day) and physical inactivity (playing outside < 3 h/day) were measured by a parent-reported questionnaire at age 3. Adjustments were made for social circumstances and indicators of health behaviors. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with low-educated mothers (OR: 3.27, 95% CI 2.12-5.05) and non-Dutch children (OR(nonWestern): 2.67, 95% CI 2.04-3.49, OR(Western): 2.09, 95% CI 1.42-3.0) were more likely to watch television for at least 2 h/day. Similar results were seen for sitting in a buggy for at least 0.5h/day. Non western children were more likely to play outside for less than 3 h/day (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.39-2.73) than native Dutch children, while no differences were seen for other western children or children from mothers with a low educational level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Socio-economic status and ethnicity are already associated with indicators of sedentary lifestyles at preschool age.
authors: The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC-University Medical Centre Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. l.vanrossem@umcutrecht.nl
authors: Lenie
authors: L
authors: van Rossem
authors: Ineke
authors: I
authors: Vogel
authors: Henriëtte A
authors: HA
authors: Moll
authors: Vincent W
authors: VW
authors: Jaddoe
authors: Albert
authors: A
authors: Hofman
authors: Johan P
authors: JP
authors: Mackenbach
authors: Hein
authors: H
authors: Raat
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D019370:Observation; D057185:Sedentary Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires