Physical Activity in Children Attending Preschools.

The purpose of this study is to identify factors which influence the level of physical activity for children in daycare centres (kindergarten).

The study points at a number of previously unknown correlations between the children's level of activity at the daycare centre. Some of the most important factors are the size of indoor area per child and the location of the building on the playground. These factors must be included and examined even further in future studies.

Moreover, the study shows that many factors have a significant impact on the children's level of physical activity: Premature birth and vegetation on the playground both have a negative correlation with the children's level of activity (measured using motion-measuring devices). For instance, this means that if there is more vegetation on the outdoor area, the children move around less. However, the child's gross motor coordination, the location of the playground with regard to the kindergarten building, the time spent at the daycare centre in the afternoon and the size of the indoor area per child all have a positive correlation with the children's level of activity.

The study includes a total of 426 children aged 5-6 years. All the children were enrolled in 42 representatively selected daycare centres (kindergartens). The data basis for the study consists of questionnaires filled in by parents and kindergarten staff as well as measurements of outdoor environment, for example. The children's level of activity is measured using a motion-measuring device over a period of 4.3 observation days on average in May and June in 2009. This means that the children were observed for 4.3 days on average, as some of the children were absent for some of the days, for example due to sickness. The study uses statistical analysis to elucidate the correlation between the children's level of activity and 37 factors, for example the indoor and outdoor environments of the kindergarten as well as the staff's level of education.

Olesen, L.G., Kristensen, P.L. & Froberg, K. (2013). Physical Activity in Children Attending Preschools. Pediatrics Electronic Pages, 132 (5), 1310-1318.