Physical activity interventions were consistently ( > 60 % of studies ) associated with improved motor and cognitive development , and psychosocial and cardiometabolic health .
Across observational studies , physical activity was consistently associated with favourable motor development , fitness , and bone and skeletal health .
For intensity , light- and moderate-intensity physical activity were not consistently associated with any health indicators , whereas moderate- to vigorous-intensity , vigorous-intensity , and total physical activity were consistently favourably associated with multiple health indicators .
Across study design s , consistent favourable associations with health indicators were observed for a variety of types of physical activity , including active play , aerobic , dance , prone position ( infants ; ≤1 year ) , and structured/organized .
Apart from ≥30 min/day of the prone position for infants , the most favourable frequency and duration of physical activity was unclear .
However , more physical activity appeared better for health .
Conclusions Specific types of physical activity , total physical activity , and physical activity of at least moderate- to vigorous-intensity were consistently favourably associated with multiple health indicators .
Background Given the rapid development during the early years ( 0 - 4 years ) , an underst and ing of the health implication s of physical activity is needed .
The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the relationships between objective ly and subjectively measured physical activity and health indicators in the early years .
Risk Factors for Deformational Plagiocephaly at Birth and at 7 Weeks of Age: A Prospective Cohort Study
OBJECTIVE . The purpose of this work was to identify risk factors for deformational plagiocephaly within 48 hours of birth and at 7 weeks of age . PATIENTS AND METHODS . This was a prospect i ve cohort study in which 380 healthy neonates born at term in Bernhoven Hospital in Veghel were followed at birth and at 7 weeks of age . Data regarding obstetrics , sociodemographics , asymmetry of the skull , anthropometrics , motor development , positioning , and care factors related to potentially provoking deformational plagiocephaly were gathered , with special interest for putative risk factors . The main outcome measure at birth and at 7 weeks of age was deformational plagiocephaly , assessed using the plagiocephalometry parameter oblique diameter difference index , a ratio variable , calculated as the longest divided by the shortest oblique diameter of the skull × 100 % . A cutoff point of ≥104 % was used to indicate severe deformational plagiocephaly . RESULTS . Only in 9 of 23 children who presented deformational plagiocephaly at birth was deformational plagiocephaly present at follow-up , whereas in 75 other children , deformational plagiocephaly developed between birth and follow-up . At birth , 3 of 14 putative risk factors were associated with severe flattening of the skull : gender , birth rank , and brachycephaly . At 7 weeks of age , 8 of 28 putative risk factors were associated with severe flattening : gender , birth rank , head position when sleeping , position on chest of drawers , method of feeding , positioning during bottle-feeding , and tummy time when awake . Early achievement of motor milestones was a protective factor for developing deformational plagiocephaly . Deformational plagiocephaly at birth was not a predictor for deformational plagiocephaly at 7 weeks of age . There was no significant relation between supine sleeping and deformational plagiocephaly . CONCLUSIONS . Three determinants were associated with an increased risk of deformational plagiocephaly at birth : male gender , first-born birth rank , and brachycephaly . Eight factors were associated with an increased risk of deformational plagiocephaly at 7 weeks of age : male gender , first-born birth rank , positional preference when sleeping , head to the same side on chest of drawers , only bottle feeding , positioning to the same side during bottle feeding , tummy time when awake <3 times per day , and slow achievement of motor milestones . This study supports the hypothesis that specific nursing habits , as well as motor development and positional preference , are primarily associated with the development of deformational plagiocephaly . Earlier achievement of motor milestones probably protects the child from developing deformational plagiocephaly . Implementation of practice s based on this new evidence of preventing and diminishing deformational plagiocephaly in child health care centers is very important
Physical activity interventions were consistently ( > 60 % of studies ) associated with improved motor and cognitive development , and psychosocial and cardiometabolic health .
Across observational studies , physical activity was consistently associated with favourable motor development , fitness , and bone and skeletal health .
For intensity , light- and moderate-intensity physical activity were not consistently associated with any health indicators , whereas moderate- to vigorous-intensity , vigorous-intensity , and total physical activity were consistently favourably associated with multiple health indicators .
Across study design s , consistent favourable associations with health indicators were observed for a variety of types of physical activity , including active play , aerobic , dance , prone position ( infants ; ≤1 year ) , and structured/organized .
Apart from ≥30 min/day of the prone position for infants , the most favourable frequency and duration of physical activity was unclear .
However , more physical activity appeared better for health .
Conclusions Specific types of physical activity , total physical activity , and physical activity of at least moderate- to vigorous-intensity were consistently favourably associated with multiple health indicators .
Background Given the rapid development during the early years ( 0 - 4 years ) , an underst and ing of the health implication s of physical activity is needed .
The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the relationships between objective ly and subjectively measured physical activity and health indicators in the early years .