Factors Related to Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Preschool Children

Author(s)

Karin A. Pfeiffer
Marsha Dowda, University of South Carolina - ColumbiaFollow
Kerry L. McIverFollow
Russell R. Pate, University of South Carolina - ColumbiaFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This study examined correlates of objectively measured physical activity (PA) in a diverse sample of preschool children (age 3-5 years; n=331). Accelerometer min∙hr^-1 of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and nonsedentary activity (NSA) were the outcome measures. Correlations among potential correlates and PA ranged from r=-0.12-0.26. Correlates in the final MVPA model were age, race, sex, BMI Z score, and parent perception of athletic competence, explaining 37% of the variance. The NSA model included the latter two variables, explaining 35% of the variance. Demographic factors were correlates of PA; parent perceptions of children's competence may be important regarding preschoolers' PA.

Publication Info

Published in Pediatric Exercise Science, Volume 21, Issue 2, 2009, pages 196-208.

Rights

Pfeiffer, K. A., Dowda, M., McIver, K. L., & Pate, R. R. (2009). Factors related to objectively measured physical activity in preschool children. Pediatric Exercise Science, 21(2), 196-208.

© Pediatric Exercise Science, 2009, Human Kinetics