Physical activity-related and weather-related practices of child care centers from 2 states.
BACKGROUND
Young children's physical activity (PA) is influenced by their child care environment. This study assessed PA practices in centers from Massachusetts (MA) and Rhode Island (RI), compared them to best practice recommendations, and assessed differences between states and center profit status. We also assessed weather-related practices.


METHODS
Sixty percent of MA and 54% of RI directors returned a survey, for a total of 254. Recommendations were 1) daily outdoor play, 2) providing outdoor play area, 3) limiting fixed play structures, 4) variety of portable play equipment, and 5) providing indoor play area. We fit multivariable linear regression models to examine adjusted associations between state, profit status, PA, and weather-related practices.


RESULTS
MA did not differ from RI in meeting PA recommendations (β = 0.03; 0.15, 0.21; P = .72), but MA centers scored higher on weather-related practices (β = 0.47; 0.16, 0.79; P = .004). For-profit centers had lower PA scores compared with nonprofits (β = -0.20; 95% CI: -0.38, -0.02; P = .03), but they did not differ for weather (β = 0.12; -0.19, 0.44; P = .44).


CONCLUSIONS
More MA centers allowed children outside in light rain or snow. For-profit centers had more equipment—both fixed and portable. Results from this study may help inform interventions to increase PA in children.
Dept of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC.
Sarah C
SC
Ball
Matthew W
MW
Gillman
Meghan
M
Mayhew
Rebecca J
RJ
Namenek Brouwer
Sara E
SE
Benjamin Neelon
D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care / Q000191:economics; D002656:Child Day Care Centers / Q000191:economics*; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D009043:Motor Activity; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012237:Rhode Island; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014887:Weather