PA correlates/determinants were relatively consistent between objective and subjective PA measures .
A small number of demographic/biological and social/cultural factors were associated with PA .
CONTEXT Being physically active during the early years ( age 0 - 6 years ) is vital for healthy development .
Identifying correlates and determinants of physical activity ( PA ) is crucial to guide effective interventions .
This systematic review synthesized studies investigating potential correlates and determinants of PA during the early years , accounting for different types of PA assessment .
Decreased physical activity among Head Start children with a history of wheezing: use of an accelerometer to measure activity.
Asthma is a severe problem among inner city children , and recent evidence suggests that both allergen exposure and lifestyle can impact the disease early in childhood . This study was design ed to investigate the association between physical activity and wheezing among a population of inner city children enrolling in Head Start . The parents of children aged 3 - 5 years responded to a question naire ( N = 144 ) to determine the presence and severity of wheezing and asthma .  Information was also gathered regarding home environment , food frequency , and presence of other allergic diseases . Serum was obtained to measure total IgE and specific IgE levels to common allergens . Height and weight for body mass index were recorded . Lastly , motion sensor wristwatches ( Actiwatch ) were worn continuously by a subset of these children ( n = 54 ) for 6 or 7 days . Physical activity measured with the motion sensor was decreased among children with a history of wheezing . The significant differences involved those measures of activity relating to prolonged or sustained physical activity . The correlates of asthma associated with decreased levels of physical activity included : 1 ) a history of wheezing in the last 12 months , 2 ) the diagnosis of asthma , and 3 ) presentation to the emergency room in the last 12 months for wheezing or asthma . In a preschool-age population , decreased physical activity was observed among children with a history of asthma or wheezing . Decreased physical activity could contribute to persistence of asthma or put children at higher risk for obesity and other chronic diseases
PA correlates/determinants were relatively consistent between objective and subjective PA measures .
A small number of demographic/biological and social/cultural factors were associated with PA .
CONTEXT Being physically active during the early years ( age 0 - 6 years ) is vital for healthy development .
Identifying correlates and determinants of physical activity ( PA ) is crucial to guide effective interventions .
This systematic review synthesized studies investigating potential correlates and determinants of PA during the early years , accounting for different types of PA assessment .