Childcare Correlates of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Adiposity in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the SPLASHY Study.

Amar Arhab,Einat A Schmutz,Stefano Lanzi,Nadine Messerli-Bürgy,Andrea H Meyer,Tanja H Kakebeeke,Annina E Zysset,Susi Kriemler,Oskar G Jenni,Claudia S Leeger-Aschmann,Jardena J Puder,Kerstin Stülb,Simone Munsch

doi:10.1155/2018/9157194

Abstract

Background The childcare (CC) environment can influence young children's physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and adiposity. The aim of the study was to identify a broad range of CC correlates of PA, SB, and adiposity in a large sample of preschoolers. Methods 476 preschool children (mean age 3.9 yrs; 47% girls) participated in the Swiss Preschoolers' Health Study (SPLASHY). PA and SB were measured by accelerometry. Outcome measures included total PA (TPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), SB, body mass index (BMI), and skinfold thickness (SF). PA measures consisted of both daily PA during CC attendance days and overall daily PA (CC and non-CC days). Results We identified the following CC correlates for higher TPA and/or higher MVPA or lower SB during CC attendance days: older age, sex (boys), more frequent child-initiated interactions during CC, mixing different ages within a group, and the presence of a written PA policy in the CC (all p ≤ 0.02). The CC correlates for overall TPA and/or MVPA or lower overall SB including both CC and non-CC days were the following: older age, sex (boys), more frequent child-initiated interactions during CC, mixing different ages within a group, less parental PA involvement in the CC, and having a larger surface area in CC (all p ≤ 0.046). Correlates for lower SF were sex (boys) and parental PA involvement in the CC (all p ≤ 0.02), and, for lower BMI, only increased age (p=0.001) was a correlate. Conclusions More frequent child-initiated interactions and mixing different ages in CC, the presence of a written PA policy, and a larger CC surface are correlates of PA and SB during CC attendance days and/or of overall PA. Parental involvement in CC PA projects was a correlate for reduced body fat. These novel factors are mostly modifiable and can be tackled/addressed in future interventions.

Highlights

Introduction e recent World HealthOrganisation (WHO) report about childhood obesity prevention measures includes the promotion of physical activity (PA) and the reduction of sedentary behavior (SB) during the early years [1]
We identified the following CC correlates for higher total PA (TPA) and/or higher moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) or lower SB during CC attendance days: older age, sex, more frequent child-initiated interactions during CC, mixing different ages within a group, and the presence of a written PA policy in the CC. e CC correlates for overall TPA and/or MVPA or lower overall SB including both CC and non-CC days were the following: older age, sex, more frequent child-initiated interactions during CC, mixing different ages within a group, less parental PA involvement in the CC, and having a larger surface area in CC
A Canadian study found that sedentary environment, sedentary opportunities, and fixed play equipment were correlates of in-care SB [12]. ree studies from Australia have identified written PA policy, staffled structured PA, staff joining in active play, less time spent indoor before going outdoor, use of indoor space for gross motor activities, lower child-staff ratios, presence of outdoor fixed equipment, and increased number of outdoor spaces with natural ground coverings as positive correlates of young children’s in-care PA [7, 13, 14]

Summary

Introduction

Introduction e recent World HealthOrganisation (WHO) report about childhood obesity prevention measures includes the promotion of physical activity (PA) and the reduction of sedentary behavior (SB) during the early years [1]. Initial studies that identified CC correlates originated from the US showed that active opportunities, staff PA training and education, portable play equipment, and sufficient outdoor space were positively related to children’s in-care PA behavior [9,10,11]. These US studies have not looked at correlates of SB. Correlates of the CC environment may have a more limited influence on children’s PA in countries such as the UK, where policies advocate child-driven play and moving freely indoors and outdoors [16]

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