Physical activity-related and weather-related practices of child care centers from 2 states.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Young children's physical activity (PA) is influenced by their child care
environment. This study assessed PA practices in centers from Massachusetts (MA) and
Rhode Island (RI), compared them to best practice recommendations, and assessed differences
between states and center profit status. We also assessed weather-related practices.
METHODS: Sixty percent of MA and 54% of RI directors returned a survey, for a total
of 254. Recommendations were 1) daily outdoor play, 2) providing outdoor play area,
3) limiting fixed play structures, 4) variety of portable play equipment, and 5) providing
indoor play area. We fit multivariable linear regression models to examine adjusted
associations between state, profit status, PA, and weather-related practices. RESULTS:
MA did not differ from RI in meeting PA recommendations (β = 0.03; 0.15, 0.21; P =
.72), but MA centers scored higher on weather-related practices (β = 0.47; 0.16, 0.79;
P = .004). For-profit centers had lower PA scores compared with nonprofits (β = -0.20;
95% CI: -0.38, -0.02; P = .03), but they did not differ for weather (β = 0.12; -0.19,
0.44; P = .44). CONCLUSIONS: More MA centers allowed children outside in light rain
or snow. For-profit centers had more equipment—both fixed and portable. Results from
this study may help inform interventions to increase PA in children.
Type
Journal articleSubject
ChildChild Care
Child Day Care Centers
Child Welfare
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Massachusetts
Motor Activity
Play and Playthings
Rhode Island
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors
Weather
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11434Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1123/jpah.2013-0266Publication Info
Ball, Sarah C; Gillman, Matthew W; Mayhew, Meghan; Namenek Brouwer, Rebecca J; & Benjamin
Neelon, Sara E (2015). Physical activity-related and weather-related practices of child care centers from
2 states. J Phys Act Health, 12(2). pp. 238-244. 10.1123/jpah.2013-0266. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11434.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Rebecca Brouwer
Dir, Research Initiatives
My overarching goal is to facilitate effective research and collaborations for the
Duke research community, through the delivery of targeted programs, tools, and individual
consultations.

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