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 .
Objective assessment of levels and patterns of physical activity in preschool children
Background : The aim of this study was to examine in detail levels and patterns of physical activity in preschool children and the effects of gender and BMI on this activity . Methods : Two hundred and fifty-three children aged 5 y participating in the Copenhagen Prospect i ve Studies on Asthma in Childhood wore an accelerometer day and night over a 4-wk period . The main outcome measure was level of physical activity using the raw data . A secondary measure was time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity ( MVPA ) . A Fourier series analysis was applied to study in detail patterns over time . Results : Activity profiles throughout the year were unique for each sex , with boys being overall more active than girls except for winter months . Preschool children also showed distinct patterns of physical activity during weekdays as compared with weekends and were most active during weekdays . Preschool children in the highest tertile of BMI had a flat yearly activity profile and tended to be less active as compared with those in the lowest tertile . Conclusion : Preschool children showed significant gender differences in physical activity , with distinct patterns throughout the year as well as between weekdays and weekends . A high BMI tended to be associated with lower levels of physical activity
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 .