Active Living in Kindergarten Predicts Children’s Lifestyle by End of Sixth Grade

Abstract

Today’s youth favor less active leisure time and transport lifestyle habits. Physical activity has dramatically decreased in recent decades. Using birth cohort data, this study aims to examine prospective associations between active living at age 6 years and lifestyle and academic adjustment indicators in boys and girls at age 12 years. Participants are from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (Canada) birth cohort. At kindergarten, mothers reported on seven indicators of physical activity (during leisure time and travel) and screen activity (computer, video games, and television). Indicators of lifestyle and academic adjustment outcomes were reported by sixth grade children and teachers, respectively. Academic adjustment was linearly regressed on active living, stratified by sex, while controlling for individual/family confounders. We found long-term net associated benefits of early active living for both girls and boys. An active kindergarten lifestyle was associated with more participation in leisure-time physical activity, less time spent on the computer and playing video games, and lower emotional distress and victimization by the end of sixth grade. Health and sport caregivers/coaches/teachers should provide parents guidelines for physical activity to their better chances of child flourishment. Communities can also adopt policies that promote and capitalize on the academic benefits in addition to the advantages to physical health.