Objectively measured physical activity in four-year-old British children: a cross-sectional analysis of activity patterns segmented across the day
Hesketh, Kathryn R.; McMinn, Alison M.; Ekelund, Ulf; Sharp, Stephen J.; Collings, Paul J.; Harvey, Nicholas C.; Godfrey, Keith M.; Inskip, Hazel M.; Cooper, Cyrus; van Sluijs, Esther M. F.
Journal article, Peer reviewed
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http://hdl.handle.net/11250/225888Utgivelsesdato
2014-01-09Metadata
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Originalversjon
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2014, 11, 1Sammendrag
BACKGROUND: Little is known about preschool-aged children's levels of physical
activity (PA) over the course of the day. Using time-stamped data, we describe
the levels and patterns of PA in a population-based sample of four-year-old
British children. METHODS: Within the Southampton Women's Survey the PA levels of
593 4-year-old children (51% female) were measured using (Actiheart)
accelerometry for up to 7 days. Three outcome measures: minutes spent sedentary
(<20 cpm); in light (LPA: >/=20-399 cpm) and in moderate-to-vigorous activity
(MVPA: >/=400 cpm) were derived. Average daily activity levels were calculated
and then segmented across the day (morning, afternoon and evening). MVPA was
log-transformed. Two-level random intercept models were used to analyse
associations between activity level and temporal and demographic factors.
RESULTS: Children were active for 67% (mean 568.5 SD 79.5 minutes) of their daily
registered time on average, with 88% of active time spent in LPA. All children
met current UK guidelines of 180 minutes of daily activity. There were no
differences in children's average daily levels of sedentary activity and LPA by
temporal and demographic factors: differences did emerge when activity was
segmented across the day. Sex differences were largest in the morning, with girls
being more sedentary, spending fewer minutes in LPA and 18% less time in MVPA
than boys. Children were more sedentary and less active (LPA and MVPA) in the
morning if they attended childcare full-time compared to part-time, and on
weekend mornings compared to weekdays. The reverse was true for weekend
afternoons and evenings. Children with more educated mothers were less active in
the evenings. Children were less sedentary and did more MVPA on summer evenings
compared to winter evenings. CONCLUSIONS: Preschool-aged children meet current
physical activity guidelines, but with the majority of their active time spent in
LPA, investigation of the importance of activity intensity in younger children is
needed. Activity levels over the day differed by demographic and temporal
factors, highlighting the need to consider temporality in future interventions.
Increasing girls' morning activity and providing opportunities for daytime
activity in winter months may be worthwhile.
Beskrivelse
© 2014 Hesketh et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.