title: "Monkey see, monkey do": Peers' behaviors predict preschoolers' physical activity and dietary intake in childcare centers.
abstract: Preschoolers observe and imitate the behaviors of those who are similar to them. Therefore, peers may be role models for preschoolers' dietary intake and physical activity in childcare centers. This study examined whether peers' behaviors predict change in preschoolers' dietary intake and physical activity in childcare centers over 9months. A total of 238 preschoolers (3 to 5years old) from 23 childcare centers in two Canadian provinces provided data at the beginning (October 2013 and 2014) and the end (June 2014 and 2015) of a 9-month period for this longitudinal study. Dietary intake was collected at lunch using weighed plate waste and digital photography on two consecutive weekdays. Physical activity was assessed using accelerometers over five days. Multilevel linear regressions were used to estimate the influence of peers' behaviors on preschoolers' change in dietary intake and physical activity over 9months. Results showed that preschoolers whose dietary intake or physical activity level deviated the most from those of their peers at the beginning of the year demonstrated greater change in their intakes and activity levels over 9months, which enabled them to become more similar to their peers (all β 95% CI ranged from -0.835 to -0.074). This study suggests that preschoolers' dietary intake and physical activity may be influenced by the behaviors of their peers in childcare centers. Since peers could play an important role in promoting healthy eating behaviors and physical activity in childcare centers, future studies should test interventions based on positive role modeling by children.
authors.affiliation: Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick, Pavillon J.-Raymond-Frenette, 100 rue des Aboiteaux, Université de Sherbrooke, Moncton, New Brunswick E1A 3E9, Canada. Electronic address: stephanie.ann.ward@usherbrooke.ca.
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick, Pavillon J.-Raymond-Frenette, 100 rue des Aboiteaux, Université de Sherbrooke, Moncton, New Brunswick E1A 3E9, Canada. Electronic address: mathieu.f.belanger@usherbrooke.ca.
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bélanger
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick, Pavillon J.-Raymond-Frenette, 100 rue des Aboiteaux, Université de Sherbrooke, Moncton, New Brunswick E1A 3E9, Canada. Electronic address: denise.donovan@usherbrooke.ca.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.affiliation: New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training, PO Box 4000, 304F Keirstead Hall, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5A3, Canada. Electronic address: jonathan.boudreau@unb.ca.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boudreau
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, 104 Clinic Place, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 2Z4, Canada. Electronic address: vatan.h@usask.ca.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vatanparast
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 2Z4, Canada. Electronic address: nazeem.muhajarine@usask.ca.
authors.forename: Nazeem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muhajarine
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 2Z4, Canada. Electronic address: anne.leis@usask.ca.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leis
authors.affiliation: College of Kinesiology, 97 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 2Z4, Canada. Electronic address: louise.humbert@usask.ca.
authors.forename: M Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Humbert
authors.affiliation: École des sciences des aliments, de nutrition et d'études familiales, Pavillon Jacqueline-Bouchard, 51 Antonine-Maillet Avenue, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick E1A 3E9, Canada. Electronic address: natalie.carrier@umoncton.ca.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carrier
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000379:methods; D002170:Canada; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002654:Child Care; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group
keywords: Child day care centers; Child, preschool; Diet, food, and nutrition; Motor activity; Peer influence