Physical Activity of Young Children

Abstract

Inadequate physical activity in children is a major health concern. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in physical activity of boys and girls, between 6–8 and 8–10 years of age and how activity patterns correlated with selected family, child, and environment factors. The sample included 59 children without motor delays (26 boys and 23 girls) between 8 and 10 years of age. Twenty-two of the children participated in a previous study at 6–8 years of age. Parents completed a questionnaire on their children's non-physical and physical activities. Children wore a pedometer during two weekdays and two weekend days. The results indicate that girls spent more time on homework and reading and on crafts and indoor play than boys. Girls spent more time on musical and cultural activities and boys spent more time on screen-based activities at 8–10 years of age. Children spent significantly less time on physical activity at 8–10 years of age. Boys took more steps per day than girls on weekends. The average number of steps taken per weekday increased for boys, but not girls, at 8–10 years of age. There was an inverse relationship between body mass index and number of steps taken per day (weekdays r = −.28; weekend r = −.32). Socioeconomic status was associated with the number of steps taken by children on weekends (r = .34). The results have implications for physical activities for girls and school and community programs for children.

Key Words:

• Physical activity
• obesity
• children
• pedometer

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Heather Ward

Michael Lepp, PT, is in private practice, Associate Instructor of the Upledger Institute, and Clinical Instructor, Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH.

Marie McKenzie, MS, OTR, is in private practice. She was Coordinator of Occupational Therapy at Scottish Rite Hospital at the time of this study.

Heather Miller, MS, OTR/L, is currently employed by Madison County Educational Service Center, providing therapy services to the county's pre-schools. This research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an MS degree at Ohio State University.

Linda Viscardis, BA, is Team Leader and Community Development Worker, Peterborough Family Enrichment Centre. She is Co-Founder of P.R.O.S.P.E.C.T.S., a support and advocacy group for families who have children with special needs.

Debra Stewart, BSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Erinoak, Serving Young People with Physical Disabilities, Mississauga, ON, and Clinical Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University.

Janette McDougall, MA, was Project Coordinator

Kip Husted, BEd, was a parent representative on the study team.

Aviva Yochman, MA, OTR, was a student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel at the time of this study.

Imelda Burgman, MA OTR/L BCP, completed her MA in Movement Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University, and was an Occupational Therapist at The Shield Institute, Bronx, NY. She is currently Lecturer, Habilitation, School of Community Health, Faculty of Health Studies, Charles Sturt University, Albury, N.S.W., Australia.

Barbara J. Steva, OTWL, BCP, is Occupational Therapist, University of New England Community Occupational Therapy Clinic, Saco, ME. She was Director of Occupational Therapy and Therapeutic Recreation, Franciscan Children's Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Boston, MA, when this work was completed.

Mary-Ann L. Fulks, MSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Vancouver Community Mental Health Service and Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia. This study was completed in partial fulfillment of a Master of Science degree.

Laura Zawacki, MS, PT, PCS, currently practices Pediatric Physical Therapy in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Judy T. Jennings holds a Certificate in PT and an MA in Special Education and has 25 years of experience as a PT working with children from infancy to high school.

Barbara G. Sarbaugh, BS and MA in OT, has worked with children for 20 years and is on the faculty, occupational therapy program at Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH.

Nicholas S. Payne, PhD, recently retired from 40 years of experience in statistics and data analysis at Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH. He was recently Research Fellow in Data Analysis, clarifying the needs of mothers and babies.

At the time of this study, Marianne Kratochvil, MA, was a social worker at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta. She has since retired.