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Physical Activity Promotion in the Preschool Years: A Critical Period to Intervene

Author

Listed:
  • Gary S. Goldfield

    (Healthy Active Living & Obesity Research Group, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
    Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
    School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
    School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada)

  • Alysha Harvey

    (Healthy Active Living & Obesity Research Group, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada)

  • Kimberly Grattan

    (Healthy Active Living & Obesity Research Group, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada)

  • Kristi B. Adamo

    (Healthy Active Living & Obesity Research Group, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
    Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
    School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada)

Abstract

The primary aim of this paper is to provide a rationale for the necessity of intervening with a physical activity intervention in the preschool years and why the daycare environment is amenable to such intervention. We also review the prevalence of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and obesity in the preschool population and the impact that these lifestyle behaviours and conditions have on the health of preschool aged children, as secondary objectives. Moreover we discuss implications for intervention and research using a “lessons learned” model based on our research team’s experience of conducting a randomized controlled trial aimed at increasing physical activity, reducing sedentary behaviour and improving motor skill development and body composition in preschoolers. Lastly, we make conclusions based on the literature and highlight issues and directions that need to be addressed in future research in order to maximize health promotion and chronic disease prevention in the pediatric population.

Suggested Citation

  • Gary S. Goldfield & Alysha Harvey & Kimberly Grattan & Kristi B. Adamo, 2012. "Physical Activity Promotion in the Preschool Years: A Critical Period to Intervene," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:9:y:2012:i:4:p:1326-1342:d:17198
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Boris Popović & Milan Cvetković & Draženka Mačak & Tijana Šćepanović & Nebojša Čokorilo & Aleksandra Belić & Nebojša Trajković & Slobodan Andrašić & Špela Bogataj, 2020. "Nine Months of a Structured Multisport Program Improve Physical Fitness in Preschool Children: A Quasi-Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-10, July.
    2. Elena Sterdt & Natalie Pape & Silke Kramer & Sebastian Liersch & Michael Urban & Rolf Werning & Ulla Walter, 2014. "Do Children’s Health Resources Differ According to Preschool Physical Activity Programmes and Parental Behaviour? A Mixed Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Pulan Bai & Sarah Johnson & Stewart G. Trost & Leanne Lester & Andrea Nathan & Hayley Christian, 2021. "The Relationship between Physical Activity, Self-Regulation and Cognitive School Readiness in Preschool Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-10, November.
    4. Paweł Lisowski & Adam Kantanista & Michał Bronikowski, 2020. "Are There Any Differences between First Grade Boys and Girls in Physical Fitness, Physical Activity, BMI, and Sedentary Behavior? Results of HCSC Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11, February.
    5. Ilona van de Kolk & Sanne M. P. L. Gerards & Lisa S. E. Harms & Stef P. J. Kremers & Jessica S. Gubbels, 2019. "The Effects of a Comprehensive, Integrated Obesity Prevention Intervention Approach (SuperFIT) on Children’s Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and BMI Z-Score," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Ilona van de Kolk & Sanne M. P. L. Gerards & Lisa S. E. Harms & Stef P. J. Kremers & Angela M. H. S. van Dinther-Erkens & Monique Snellings & Jessica S. Gubbels, 2020. "Study Protocol for the Evaluation of “SuperFIT”, a Multicomponent Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention Approach for Preschools and Families," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-15, January.
    7. Veronica Piziak, 2014. "The Development of a Bilingual Interactive Video to Improve Physical Activity and Healthful Eating in a Head Start Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-9, December.

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