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 .
Relationships between weight status and child, parent and community characteristics in preschool children.
OBJECTIVE To examine , using an Ecological Systems Theoretical framework , relationships between weight status and child , parent and community characteristics and risk factors among preschool children . METHODS Cross-sectional data was collected from 140 children and their parents from 11 r and omly selected preschools . Outcome variables included : motor development ; perceived competence ; objective ly measured physical activity ; time spent in active and quiet play ; location and number of televisions ; parental rules around physical activity and time spent watching television ; availability of sport and physical activity programs ; and parks and open spaces and access to footpaths .  RESULTS Overweight children spent more time in quiet play and watching television  and less time in active play and physical activity . Perceived competence and motor development were similar for both overweight and non-overweight children . Associations between weight status and several parent and community characteristics were not evident , except for access to footpaths . Overweight children had greater access to footpaths  compared with non-overweight children ( p=0.046 ) . CONCLUSION The results reported here showed little difference between overweight and non-overweight children in relation to a variety of child , parent and community variables . However , for some characteristics , differences in older children have been reported . Longitudinal studies are required to confirm when these characteristics begin to differ , what effects these differences have on behaviour and weight-status , and therefore when targeted treatment should be provided during a child 's development
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 .