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Physical activity levels in the early years and factors that influence these. Factors influencing physical activity. Physical activity is a complex, multi-dimensional behaviour influenced by a wide range of factors. Young children have relatively little control over their behaviours.
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Physical activity levels in the early years and factors that influence these
Factors influencing physical activity • Physical activity is a complex, multi-dimensional behaviour influenced by a wide range of factors. • Young children have relatively little control over their behaviours. • Understanding the correlates of physical activity is important in changing behaviour.
Factors influencing physical activity: Early years5,6,7 Demographic factors • Boys are generally more active than girls. • Activity levels in this age group are generally stable and do not change significantly with age. • Unclear whether a child’s ethnicity or BMI/weight has an impact on their activity levels between the ages of 0-5 years.
Factors influencing physical activity: Early years6,7,8 Social/cultural factors • A child who watches more television or spends much of their time sitting may have lower overall physical activity levels. • Parent-child interactions and role modelling appear to encourage higher levels of physical activity in young children. • A parent’s weight and physical activity levels have mixed effects on their children’s physical activity levels.
Factors influencing physical activity: Early years6,7,8,9 Environmental factors • Fewer children within a setting, shorter breaks and more time between breaks can increase levels of physical activity. • Children who spend more time playing outdoors have higher levels of physical activity.
Physical activity levels in England: Survey data10 Based on the 2011 UK physical activity guidelines, in England, in 2012: • 9% of boys and10% of girlsaged 2-4 years were classified as meeting the current guidelines for children aged under 5 of at least three hours of physical activity per day. • 84% of children of this age were classified in the ‘low activity’ group.*
Sedentary levels in the early years • In the UK, for children aged 3 and 4 years, the average time spent being sedentary is 10-11 hours a day11. • In the early years, typical sedentary behaviours might include watching TV, travelling by car, bus or train,or being strapped into a buggy.
References • Department of Health. Start Active, Stay Active – A report on physical activity for health from the four home countries’ Chief Medical Officers. London: Department of Health; 2011. • Chaput J, Klingenberg L, Rosenkilde M, Gilbert J, Tremblay A, Sjodin A. Physical activity plays an important role in body weight regulation. J Obes. 2011;2011(Article ID 360257). • MonastaL, Batty GD, Cattaneo A, Lutje V, Ronfani L, van Lenthe FJ, et al. Early-life determinants of overweight and obesity: A review of systematic reviews. Obes Rev. 2010;11(10):695-708. • OECD (2007). Understanding the brain: the birth of a learning science. OECD 2007. ISBN 978-92-64-02912-5. • Rudolf M. Tackling obesity through the healthy child programme: a framework for action. National Obesity Observatory; 2009. • HinkleyT, Crawford D, Salmon J, Okely AD, Hesketh K. Preschool Children and Physical Activity: A Review of Correlates. Am J Prev Med 2008 May;34(5): 435-41. • De Craemer M, De Decker E, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Vereecken C, Deforche, B, Manois Y, Cardon G, on behalf of the ToyBox-study group. Correlates of energy balance-related behaviours in preschool children: a systematic review. Obesity reviews 2012;13 Suppl 1:13-28. • Okely AD, Salmon J, Trost SG, Hinkley T. Discussion paper for the development of physical activity recommendations for children under five years. Canberra, ACT, Australia; Australian Department of Health and Ageing, Government of Australia; 2008. • Ridgers ND, Fairclough SJ, Stratton G. Variables associated with children's physical activity levels during recess: the A-CLASS project. Int J BehavNutrPhys Act 2010, 7:74.
References • Health and Social Care Information Centre. Health Survey for England 2012. Volume 1: Chapter 3 - Physical activity in children. Health and Social Care Information Centre: Leeds; 2013. • Reilly JJ, Okely AD, Almond L et al. Making the Case for UK Physical Activity Guidelines for Early Years: Recommendations and draft summary statements based on the current evidence. Working paper. 2009. • The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Lifestyles Statistics. National Child Measurement Programme: England, 2012/13 school year. Leeds: NHS Information Centre; 2013. • Okely AD, Salmon J, TrostSG, Hinkley T. Discussion paper for the development of physical activity recommendations for children under five years. Canberra: Department of Health and Ageing, Government of Australia; 2008. • Timmons BW, Naylor P, Pfeiffer KA . Physical activity for preschool children: How much and how? Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 32, 122–134; 2007. • Department for Children, Schools and Families. Statutory Framework for the Early Years foundation Stage - Setting the Standards for Learning, Development and Care for children from birth to five. Nottingham: Department for Children, Schools and Families; 2008. • Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment. Understanding the Foundation Stage. Belfast: Early Years Interboard Group; 2006. • Wales Assembly Government. Framework for Children’s Learning for 3-7-year-olds in Wales. Cardiff: Wales Assembly Government; 2008. • Allen G. Early Intervention: the Next Steps, An Independent Report to her Majesty’s Government. London: HM Government; 2011.