Evaluating Physical Activity Levels in Canadian Toddlers: Are They Getting Enough Exercise?

Study on Toddlers and Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines

Introduction

A recent study explored the extent to which toddlers are adhering to the Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years and examined its correlation with body mass index (BMI). It is well-documented that sedentary behaviors, such as excessive television watching, are linked to adverse health outcomes and a range of diseases. Research indicates that inactive habits can begin early in childhood, underscoring the importance of promoting physical activity during these formative years.

Factors Influencing Movement and Health

Extensive research has identified three critical factors that affect a child’s movement during their early years: adequate sleep, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors. These elements significantly influence health outcomes and overall well-being.

The 24-Hour Movement Guidelines

Overview of the Guidelines

In response to several key review papers, Canada developed the Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years, focusing on children aged 0-4 years. This framework integrates recommendations for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. Researchers aimed to evaluate whether toddlers were meeting these guidelines, with the intention of using the findings to inform new interventions and identify potential risk factors.

Study Methodology

The study’s findings were published in BMC Public Health. Researchers recruited toddler participants from four public health centers in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with a total of 257 families agreeing to take part. Data on sleep habits, sedentary behaviors (such as time spent in strollers), and screen time were collected using the Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Habits Project (PREPS) questionnaire. The toddlers’ physical activity levels were monitored using accelerometers, which parents were instructed to have their children wear continuously for seven days, removing them only during water-related activities.

Findings on Toddler Compliance with Guidelines

Results Overview

The results revealed that only approximately 12% of toddlers in the sample met the 24-hour Movement Guidelines. This low percentage was primarily attributed to the high levels of screen time among the children. Specifically, the study found that 82.1% of toddlers met the sleep recommendations, while 99.3% adhered to the exercise guidelines. However, only 15.2% of toddlers met the screen time recommendations. Notably, no significant associations were identified between adherence to specific recommendations and body mass index.

Conclusion

While a substantial majority of the toddlers met the exercise and sleep recommendations of the guidelines, many also engaged in excessive screen time. As a result, only a limited number of children were able to meet the overall recommendations outlined in the Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines.

Reference

Lee, E.-Y., Hesketh, K. D., Hunter, S., Kuzik, N., Rhodes, R. E., Rinaldi, C. M., … Carson, V. (2017). Meeting new Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years and associations with adiposity among toddlers living in Edmonton, Canada. BMC Public Health, 17(S5), 840. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4855-x