Physical Activity Behaviors During the Preschool Years
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2010
Journal
Child Health & Education
Volume
2
Issue
1
First Page
60
Last Page
70
Abstract
This is the first Canadian study to measure physical activity participation and opportunities for outdoor playtime among preschoolers. Preschoolers in the London, Ontario study spent significantly more time engaging in high-intensity indoor activity versus outdoor activity. Daycare providers reported the children in their care had access to approximately 2 hours of daily outdoor playtime. Nearly half the study‟s parents reported their preschoolers did not engage in physical activity at the level needed for health gains. Insufficient activity among such a large segment of preschoolers has potentially serious physical and psychological health implications. Daycare settings afford ample opportunity for physical activity programming among this population. Further research using more objective measures on a larger sample is needed.
