title: Comparing physical activity and sedentary time among overweight and nonoverweight preschoolers enrolled in early learning programs: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: Establishing appropriate physical activity and sedentary behaviours during early childhood is important to ensure children accrue the many associated health benefits. While physical activity levels have been reported as low within early learning programs, little research has explored the physical activity and sedentary time of Canadian preschoolers classified as overweight within these facilities. The purpose of this study was to compare objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time among preschoolers classified as overweight and nonoverweight in early learning programs. Direct assessment of physical activity and sedentary time of 216 preschool-aged children was collected via Actical accelerometers during early learning hours, while body mass index percentile was calculated based on preschoolers' objectively measured height and weight. Results of three 3-way ANOVAs suggest that rates of moderate to vigorous physical activity, total physical activity, and sedentary time (p > 0.05) did not significantly differ based on weight status, sex, and type of early learning facility. This study is one of few that has examined differences in overweight and nonoverweight preschoolers' sedentary time, and adds to the limited research exploring physical activity levels among overweight and nonoverweight preschoolers during early learning hours. Given the high rates of sedentary time reported, programming within early learning facilities is necessary to support preschoolers, regardless of weight status, to achieve increased physical activity levels and decreased sedentary time.
authors.affiliation: a School of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Ontario, 1201 Western Rd, Elborn College, London, ON N6G 1H1, Canada.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.affiliation: b Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Western Ontario, 1201 Western Rd., Elborn College, London, ON N6G 1H1, Canada.
authors.forename: Alana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Maltby
authors.affiliation: c School of Health Studies, University of Western Ontario, Arthur & Sonia Labatt Health Sciences Building, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada.
authors.forename: Shauna M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: b Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Western Ontario, 1201 Western Rd., Elborn College, London, ON N6G 1H1, Canada.
authors.forename: Leigh M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Vanderloo
authors.affiliation: c School of Health Studies, University of Western Ontario, Arthur & Sonia Labatt Health Sciences Building, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada.
authors.forename: Jennifer D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Irwin
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D057238:Growth Charts; D000070497:Healthy Lifestyle; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D050177:Overweight / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D012578:Schools, Nursery; D057185:Sedentary Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: accelerometry; accélérométrie; activité motrice; adiposity; adiposité; childcare; garde d’enfants; health; inactivity; inactivité; motor activity; overweight; pediatric; preschool; préscolaire; pédiatrie; santé; sedentary; surpoids; sédentaire