Published: July 2015

ID #: 67307

Journal: Health Behav Policy Rev

Authors: Kwon S, Mason M, Becker AB

See more related research

Share


Physical activity (PA) at a young age is an important health behavior to prevent childhood obesity and establish healthy PA habits. Because the majority of preschool-age children attend child-care centers, child-care environment can play an important role in promoting PA among this population. This study examined environmental factors associated with children’s moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) during indoor and outdoor PA sessions at urban child-care centers. Investigators observed daily activity schedules, recreational space, and play equipment at 16 Chicago child-care centers in winter and spring of 2011, and measured child PA using ActiGraph accelerometers for preschoolers ages 3 to 5 years. Statistical analyses were conducted to predict MVPA time and inactivity time during indoor and outdoor PA sessions. More indoor play equipment, structured PA sessions, and spring season were associated with more MVPA during indoor PA sessions. Presence of an outdoor playground and spring season were associated with more MVPA during outdoor PA sessions. These findings support previous studies that indicate the positive impact of access to PA space and equipment on child engagement in PA, and suggest the need for more detailed strategies in scheduling structured PA sessions.

Related Research

February 2010

Assessing Changes in Regulations at Chicago Child-Care Facilities to Prevent Childhood Obesity

In the fall of 2009, the Chicago Board of Health will adopt changes to child-care regulations intended to improve nutrition standards, establish minimum time requirements for physical activity and set maximum time requirements for screentime. During a two-year voluntary phase-in period child-care providers will receive education and training to facilitate compliance. This study will evaluate More

March 2023

“It has a lot to do with the cumbersome paperwork”: Barriers and facilitators of center-based early care and education (ECE) program participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally-regulated feeding program that reimburses early care and education (ECE) programs for providing nutritious meals to low-income children. Participation in CACFP is voluntary and varies widely across states. This study assessed barriers and facilitators of center-based ECE program participation in CACFP and identified potential strategies More

March 2023

The Child and Adult Care Food Program and young children’s health: a systematic review

The objective of this review was to summarize the evidence for the impact of CACFP on children’s diet quality, weight status, food insecurity, and cognitive development. Nineteen articles were reviewed, most of which had been published since 2012. Seventeen used cross-sectional designs. Twelve evaluated foods and beverages served; 4 evaluated dietary intake; 4 evaluated the More