Premium
Social and Environmental Factors Associated With Preschoolers’ Nonsedentary Physical Activity
Author(s) -
Brown William H.,
Pfeiffer Karin A.,
McIver Kerry L.,
Dowda Marsha,
Addy Cheryl L.,
Pate Russell R.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2008.01245.x
Subject(s) - physical activity , psychology , developmental psychology , sedentary behavior , physical activity level , physical therapy , medicine
The twofold purposes of the investigation were (a) to describe with direct observation data the physical activity behaviors and the accompanying social and environmental events of those behaviors for children in preschools and (b) to determine which contextual conditions were predictors of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and nonsedentary physical activity (i.e., light activity + MVPA) for 3‐, 4‐, and 5‐year‐old children during their outdoor play. The results indicate that preschoolers’ physical activity is characterized as sedentary in nature throughout their preschool day (i.e., 89% sedentary, 8% light activity, and 3% MVPA). During outdoor play periods, when children are most likely to be physically active, some contextual and social circumstances better predict their physical activity. Implications for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers are discussed.