Physical activity-related and weather-related practices of child care centers from 2 states.

Ball, Sarah C

Gillman, Matthew W

Mayhew, Meghan

Namenek Brouwer, Rebecca J

Benjamin Neelon, Sara E

United States

2016-01-05T13:59:34Z

2015-02

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.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24763142

2013-0266

1543-5474

https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11434

eng

Human Kinetics

J Phys Act Health

10.1123/jpah.2013-0266

Child

Child 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

Physical activity-related and weather-related practices of child care centers from 2 states.

Journal article

Namenek Brouwer, Rebecca J|0000-0001-8655-7368

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24763142

238

244

2

Center for Child and Family Policy

Clinical Science Departments

Community and Family Medicine

Duke

Pediatrics

Pediatrics, Primary Care Pediatrics

Sanford School of Public Policy

School of Medicine

Staff

Published

12