Abstract
The purpose of this research project was to gain a greater understanding of daily routines of 4–7 year olds regarding physical activity and nutrition practices in typical early learning environments. The settings selected for this observational study included Head Start, primary, and after-school learning environments in a city in the southeast. Specifically, this exploratory study focused on the research question: What are typical daily physical activity and nutrition patterns in community-based early learning settings for young children 4–7 years of age in the United States? Two overarching themes were identified through data analysis: restriction of activity and restriction of physical movement. Results indicated that children in elementary school settings had fewer opportunities for indoor and outdoor physical activity than children in other settings and that children seek to be physically active and will do so when given the opportunity. Increasing time for both structured and unstructured physical activity and play for children ages 4–7 in early learning settings was recommended by the researchers.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, S., & Whitaker, R. (2010). Household routines and obesity in US preschool-aged children. Pediatrics, 125(3), 420–428.
Birch, L. L., & Ventura, A. K. (2009). Preventing childhood obesity: What works? International Journal of Obesity, 33, 574–581.
Brown, W. H., Pfeiffer, K. A., McIver, K. L., Dowda, M., Addy, C. L., & Pate, R. R. (2009). Social and environmental factors associated with preschoolers’ nonsedentary physical activity. Child Development, 80(1), 45–58.
Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Davis, C. L., Tomporowski, P. D., McDowell, J. E., Austin, B. P., Miller, P. H., Yanasak, N. E., et al. (2011). Exercise improves executive function and achievement and altars brain activation in overweight children: A randomized, controlled trial. Healthy Psychology, 30(1), 91–98.
Dunton, G., McConnell, R., Jerrett, M., Wolch, J., Lam, C., Gilliland, M., et al. (2012). Organized physical activity in young school children and subsequent 4-year change in body mass index. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 166(8), 713–718.
F as in Fat (2010). How obesity threatens America’s future. Issue report. Trust for America’s health. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Retrieved December 18, 2010 from www.healthyamericans.org.
Fox, M. K., Hallgren, K., Boller, K., & Turner, A. (2010). Efforts to meet children’s physical activity and nutritional needs: Findings from the I am moving, i am learning implementation evaluation. Washington, DC: Administration for Children and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services.
Goodway, J. D., & Branta, C. F. (2003). Influence of a motor skill intervention on fundamental motor skill development of disadvantaged preschool children. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 74, 36–46.
Goodway, J. D., & Robinson, L. E. (2006). SKIPing toward an active start: Promoting physical activity in preschoolers. Beyond the Journal: Young Children, 61, 1–6.
Mission readiness. Ready, willing and unable to serve. Report by Mission: Readiness, military leaders for kids (2009). Retrieved December 18, 2010 from www.missionreadiness.org.
Moore, L. L., Nguyen, U. D. T., Rothman, K. J., et al. (1995). Preschool physical activity and change in body fatness in young children. The Framingham Children’s Study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 142(9), 982–988.
Naylor, P. J., Macdonald, H. M., Zebedee, J. A., Reed, K. E., & McKay, H. A. (2006). Lessons learned from action schools! BC—an ‘active school’ model to promote physical activity in elementary schools. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 9, 413–423.
Reed, K. E., Warburton, D. E. R., Macdonald, H. M., Naylor, P. J., & McKay, H. A. (2008). Action schools! BC: A school-based physical activity intervention designed to decrease cardiovascular disease risk factors in children. Preventive Medicine, 46, 525–531.
Taras, H. (2005). Physical activity and student performance at school. Journal of School Health, 75(6), 214–218.
Tomporowski, P. D., Davis, C. L., Miller, P. H., & Naglieri, J. A. (2008). Exercise and children’s intelligence, cognition, and academic achievement. Educational Psychology Review, 20, 111–131.
Vale, S., Santos, R., Soares-Miranda, L., Moreira, C, Ruiz, J., & Silva Mota, J. (2010). Objectively measured physical activity and body mass index in preschool children. International Journal of Pediatrics. Article ID 479439, 6 p. doi:10.1155/2010/479439.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Stegelin, D.A., Anderson, D., Kemper, K. et al. Exploring Daily Physical Activity and Nutrition Patterns in Early Learning Settings: Snapshots of Young Children in Head Start, Primary, and After-School Settings. Early Childhood Educ J 42, 133–142 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-013-0599-0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-013-0599-0