Seasonal Changes in Preschoolers’ Sedentary Time and Physical Activity at Childcare

Authors

  • John M. Schuna College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, 118H Milam Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
  • Gary Liguori Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave., Dept 6606, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA
  • Jared Tucker Jared Tucker Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2016.05.01.3

Keywords:

Accelerometry, physical activity, pediatrics, public health, childcare.

Abstract

Background: This investigation evaluated seasonal changes in preschoolers’ (3-5 years) sedentary time and physical activity (PA) during childcare.

Methods: Sixty-two children from 4 preschools in Fargo, North Dakota had their sedentary behavior and PA objectively assessed during 2 separate weeks of childcare. Children wore accelerometers for 5 consecutive days, once each in the fall (October/November) and winter (January/February). Separate analyses were conducted to evaluate seasonal changes in full-day, indoor only, and outdoor only sedentary time and PA during childcare.

Results: When expressed relative to accelerometer wear time, the full-day rate of sedentary time accumulation (minutes/hour) increased significantly from fall to winter (p < 0.001), while accumulation rates for all other PA variables (light PA, moderate PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA, and activity counts) significantly declined during this period (all p’s < 0.001). No significant changes in accumulation rates for sedentary time or PA (light PA, moderate PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA, and activity counts) were noted for either indoor or outdoor time between seasons.

Conclusions: Childcare-related sedentary time and PA can dramatically vary across seasons.

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Published

2016-03-14

How to Cite

Schuna, J. M., Liguori, G., & Jared Tucker, J. T. (2016). Seasonal Changes in Preschoolers’ Sedentary Time and Physical Activity at Childcare. International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition, 5(1), 17–24. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2016.05.01.3

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General Articles