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Background: The study examined the longitudinal associations of sleep time, restrained time, back time and tummy time with development in a sample of infants using compositional data analysis., Methods: Participants were a subsample of 93 parent-infant dyads from the Early Movers project in Edmonton, Canada. Parents completed a 3-day time-use diary at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Time spent in four mutually exclusive movement behaviours were calculated representing sleep (i.e., sleep time), sedentary behaviour (i.e., restrained time and back time) and physical activity (i.e., tummy time). Communication, fine motor, gross motor, personal-social, problem solving and total development were measured at 2, 4 and 6 months of age with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). Gross motor development was also measured by a physiotherapist using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 6 months. The age six major gross motor milestones (i.e., independent sitting, crawling, assisted standing, assisted walking, independent standing, independent walking) were achieved according to World Health Organization criteria, in the first 18 months of life, were calculated., Results: The composition of movement behaviours across time points was significantly associated with: ASQ-3 gross motor, problem solving and total development scores over time, total and percentile AIMS scores at 6 months and independent standing and walking milestones (ilr model p-value: < 0.001-0.045; model R 2 : 0.02-0.15). More sleep time or tummy time relative to other movement behaviours was associated with more advanced development and earlier achievement of some milestones. The opposite was observed for back time. Associations with restrained time were mixed. The optimal movement behaviour durations (minutes/day) for AIMS and WHO milestone outcomes, were 38-43 of tummy time, 51-54 of back time, 43-96 of restrained time and 845-900 of sleep time., Conclusions: Targeting healthy movement behaviour patterns in infants may be a promising health promotion strategy., (© 2024 The Author(s). Child: Care, Health and Development published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: To examine: 1) longitudinal adherence to the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines in a sample of infants and 2) associations between adherence to the guidelines over time and development., Methods: Participants were 250 parent-infant dyads from the Early Movers project in Edmonton, Alberta. At 2, 4, and 6 months of age, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, and development were measured with a parental questionnaire that included items from the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). Parents also reported the dates six major gross motor milestones were acquired during the first 18 months of life according to World Health Organization criteria. In a sub-sample (n = 93), movement behaviours were also measured with a time-use diary at 2, 4, and 6 months and gross motor development was measured by a physiotherapist using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 6 months. Guideline adherence was defined as: 1) ≥ 30 min/day of tummy time, 2) no screen time, some reading time, no restrained bouts > 1 h (time-use diary only), and 3) 14-17 h (2 months) or 12-16 h (4 and 6 months) of sleep per 24-h period. Generalized estimating equations were conducted as well as linear mixed models and linear regression models that adjusted for demographic characteristics., Results: Few infants met the guidelines at all time-points (questionnaire: 2%; time-use diary: 0%). Infants that met a recommendation at 2 months, compared to those that did not, were 1.8-8.2 times more likely to meet that recommendation at subsequent time-points. Meeting more recommendations across time-points, according to both measures, was associated with a higher mean ASQ-3 gross motor score. Each additional time-point of tummy time recommendation adherence (questionnaire-measured) was associated with a 5-11-day earlier acquisition of independent sitting, crawling, and independent standing milestones. In the sub-sample, each additional time-point of guideline adherence was associated with a 16% higher AIMS score at 6 months., Conclusions: Guideline adherence was low across the first 6 months of infancy. Overall, meeting more recommendations over this period appeared important for gross motor development. Parents and caregivers should be targeted as early as possible with guideline dissemination and activation strategies to promote healthy infant development., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: A new physical activity and sedentary behaviour accreditation standard criterion for childcare settings was introduced by the provincial government in Alberta, Canada. The primary objective of this study was to examine if changes for in-care physical activity and sedentary time (ST) differed between centres in and around Edmonton, Alberta after implementing the new accreditation standards and non-accredited control centres in and around Ottawa, Ontario. Secondary objectives were to examine whether baseline age group (toddler, preschooler) or the childcare environment moderated any group differences in change of the primary outcomes. Furthermore, accreditation and control group differences in change of children's body mass index (BMI) Z-scores or cognitive development as well as educators' perceptions of the primary outcomes were explored., Methods: Participants were 252 toddlers (19-35 months) and preschoolers (36-60 months) in childcare centres from Alberta (n = 11) and Ontario (n = 8) in the supporting Healthy physical AcTive CHildcare setting (HATCH) study. In-care ST, light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) were accelerometer-derived before and 6 months after the implementation of the new standards. At both time points, cognitive development (working memory, expressive vocabulary), heights, and weights were measured, and BMI Z-scores were calculated. Additionally, the childcare environment was observed using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) and Movement Environment Rating Scale (MOVERS) tools. Demographic characteristics were parent-reported and weather variables were derived from Environment Canada data. Mixed models were conducted., Results: In adjusted models (n = 241), change in children's in-care ST (B = -0.07, 95%CI: - 1.43,1.29), LPA (B = 0.08, 95%CI: - 0.89,1.05), and log-transformed MVPA (B = 0.01, 95%CI: - 0.09,0.11) were not significantly different between accreditation and control groups. Age group and the childcare environment were not moderators. Significant increases in BMI Z-score (B = 0.19, 95%CI: 0.03,0.35) and high working memory (OR = 3.24, 95%CI: 1.32,7.97) were observed in the accreditation group and significant increases in expressive vocabulary (B = 3.18, 95%CI: 0.05,6.30) were observed in the control group., Conclusions: The new accreditation criterion may not significantly change physical activity or ST in childcare settings and therefore may not explain findings for BMI Z-scores and cognitive development. Additional training and resources may be needed., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: This study aimed to address methodological limitations of the evidence that informed national and international movement behaviour guidelines for the early years. Specifically, the primary objective was to examine the longitudinal associations of infant physical activity (i.e., tummy time) and sedentary behaviour (i.e., back time, screen time, reading time, restrained time) with gross motor development. Secondary and tertiary objectives were to examine longitudinal associations of: (1) infant physical activity and sedentary behaviour with communication, fine motor, personal-social, and problem solving development, and (2) sleep time with primary and secondary outcomes., Methods: Participants were 411 parents and their infants from the Early Movers project in Edmonton, Canada. Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep were measured with a parental questionnaire and the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) developmental screening tool was administered at 2, 4, and 6 months. Parents reported the dates six major gross motor milestones (i.e., independent sitting, crawling, assisted standing, assisted walking, independent standing, independent walking) were acquired in the first 18 months of life according to World Health Organization criteria. In a subsample (n = 125), gross motor development was assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 6 months., Results: Higher tummy time across time points was significantly associated with higher ASQ-3 gross motor and personal-social development scores over time, higher total AIMS scores at 6 months, and earlier acquisition of all gross motor milestones. Higher reading time across time points was significantly associated with higher ASQ-3 fine motor, gross motor, personal-social, and total development scores over time. In contrast, higher back time across time points was significantly associated with lower total AIMS scores at 6 months and the later acquisition of assisted standing, assisted walking, and independent walking. Similarly, higher restrained time across time points was significantly associated with a later acquisition of supported walking., Conclusions: Tummy time was consistently longitudinally associated with more advanced gross motor development and reading with more advanced total development. Whereas, some detrimental associations were observed for back and restrained time. Findings support the promotion of tummy time and certain sedentary behaviours (i.e., reading) in young infants to enhance overall development., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: In 2018, the Australian Government updated the Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Children and Young People. A requirement of this update was the incorporation of a 24-hour approach to movement, recognising the importance of adequate sleep. The purpose of this paper was to describe how the updated Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Young People (5 to 17 years): an integration of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep were developed and the outcomes from this process., Methods: The GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach was used to develop the guidelines. A Leadership Group was formed, who identified existing credible guidelines. The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth best met the criteria established by the Leadership Group. These guidelines were evaluated based on the evidence in the GRADE tables, summaries of findings tables and recommendations from the Canadian Guidelines. We conducted updates to each of the Canadian systematic reviews. A Guideline Development Group reviewed, separately and in combination, the evidence for each behaviour. A choice was then made to adopt or adapt the Canadian recommendations for each behaviour or create de novo recommendations. We then conducted an online survey (n=237) along with three focus groups (n=11 in total) and 13 key informant interviews. Stakeholders used these to provide feedback on the draft guidelines., Results: Based on the evidence from the Canadian systematic reviews and the updated systematic reviews in Australia, the Guideline Development Group agreed to adopt the Canadian recommendations and, apart from some minor changes to the wording of good practice statements, maintain the wording of the guidelines, preamble, and title of the Canadian Guidelines. The Australian Guidelines provide evidence-informed recommendations for a healthy day (24-hours), integrating physical activity, sedentary behaviour (including limits to screen time), and sleep for children (5-12 years) and young people (13-17 years)., Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is only the second time the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach has been used to develop movement behaviour guidelines. The judgments of the Australian Guideline Development Group did not differ sufficiently to change the directions and strength of the recommendations and as such, the Canadian Guidelines were adopted with only very minor alterations. This allowed the Australian Guidelines to be developed in a shorter time frame and at a lower cost. We recommend the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach, especially if a credible set of guidelines that was developed using the GRADE approach is available with all supporting materials. Other countries may consider this approach when developing and/or revising national movement guidelines., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The aim of the present study was to characterize sedentary time (ST) and sedentary bouts among young children, across a typical week and by day type (childcare days, non-childcare days and weekends), over a 12-month period.ST % (ST/accelerometer wear time*100) and number of sedentary bouts/hours were assessed using accelerometers at two time-points 12-months apart in 153 toddlers and 74 pre-schoolers. Differences between baseline and follow-up according to the whole week and the different day types were calculated using linear mixed models with adjustment for age, sex, socio-economic status and zBMI.During the weekend, toddlers had more 20-30 min/h sedentary bouts at follow-up than at baseline (MD: 0.03). In pre-schoolers, ST % (MD:-8.4), the number of 1-4 min/h (MD:-1.45), 5-9 min/h (MD: -0.46) and 10-19 min/h sedentary bouts (MD:-0.11) were lower at baseline, compared to follow-up, on non-childcare days; as were the number of 5-9 min/h sedentary bouts on weekends (MD:0.40). P < 0.05 for all.This study found that longer sedentary bouts (20-30 min/h) tended to decrease among toddlers and pre-schoolers, whereas ST and shorter sedentary bouts increased over 12-months, particularly among pre-schoolers on non-childcare weekdays. Non-childcare days, and home environment may be targeted for intervention to reduce ST and sedentary bouts among pre-schoolers.

Background: Child care centers are important for children's behaviors., Aims: To examine the cross-sectional associations between child care environmental characteristics and physical activity and sedentary time in children., Methods: Participants were 124 toddlers and 118 preschoolers from 19 centers in Alberta and Ontario, Canada, in the supporting Healthy physical AcTive CHildcare setting (HATCH) study. In-care physical activity and sedentary time were assessed using Actigraph accelerometers. Child care environments, including structure (e.g., resources) and process (e.g., activities) quality, were measured using three instruments: (1) the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation and (2) the Children's Physical Environments Rating Scale, and (iii) the Movement Environment Rating Scale. Mixed models were performed to examine the associations between environmental characteristics and children's sedentary time, light physical activity, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity., Results: A few structure quality characteristics related to child care policy and indoor environment were associated with higher physical activity and lower sedentary time in toddlers. The overall structure quality ( B = 0.04; 95% CI [0.003, 0.08]) and process quality ( B = 0.08; 95% CI [0.02, 0.15]) of the child care environment were associated with log moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in preschoolers. Specifically, structure quality characteristics of the outdoor environment and physical activity time, and process quality characteristics relevant to curriculum and pedagogy, were associated with higher physical activity and lower sedentary time in preschoolers., Discussion and Conclusion: The child care structure quality characteristics that are important for children' physical activity and sedentary behavior may vary by age group. Improving the overall process quality, in particular curriculum and pedagogy, of the child care environment, may promote more physical activity in preschoolers.

Epidemiological data suggests that the genesis of cardiovascular disease occurs during childhood. Sedentary time (ST) is a main driver of high blood pressure (BP) in adolescents and adults. However, associations between ST and cardiovascular health in young children are uncertain. Prospective associations between ST and BP were assessed among 172 toddlers (88 boys), aged 19.5 ± 3.9 months at baseline, recruited from the GET-UP! Study, Australia and followed over a 12-month period. BP was measured with a digital monitor and z -scores were computed by age and sex for systolic and diastolic BP. Total ST was measured over 7 days using Actigraph accelerometers and expressed over a 24-h period. Multilevel linear regression models were used to assess regression coefficients and standard errors, predicting BP at follow-up from ST at baseline. Analyses controlled for socio-economic status, height, age, gender, group (intervention or control) and zWC at baseline. Adjusted analyses showed that total ST did not predict systolic or diastolic BP (β = 0.0009, p = 0.368 and β = 0.002, p = 0.05, respectively). Most likely, longer follow-up periods might be needed to confirm or rule out our results, as the effects of cumulative ST over time on BP values are prone to manifest later in life and track into adolescence and adulthood.

Aim: As retinal microvasculature (RMV) can be assessed non-invasively, it presents an opportunity to examine the health and disease of the human microcirculation, as RMV alterations have been recognised as one of the earliest signs of cardiovascular risk. This review summarises current literature on the associations between physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and/or adiposity and RMV in children and adolescents aged 0-18 years., Methods: Six databases were searched (MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO and CINAHL), through to December 11, 2019. English, Portuguese, French, Spanish or Dutch were the languages searched. Meta-analyses were performed using the meta-analyst software., Results: A total of 6796 studies were screened, and 26 studies were included, representing 24 448 participants, from 12 different countries. Studies reporting results on weight status were twenty-three, PA was assessed in six studies, and SB was assessed in three studies. Four studies examined weight status and PA/SB. Meta-analysis was performed for two studies and showed that children with obesity have smaller retinal arterioles (-2.38 µm difference, 95% CI 0.62, 4.15 µm) and larger retinal venules (2.74 µm difference, 95% CI -4.78, -0.72 µm) than children without obesity., Conclusion: Results showed that adiposity was associated with microvascular alterations in children and adolescents. Increased adiposity, lack of PA and high levels of SB were negatively correlated with vessel width parameters., (© 2020 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: To describe how children's time spent in the 24-h movement behaviours of physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and sleep change, individually and collectively, across the transition from primary to secondary school., Design: Systematic review., Methods: Six electronic databases were searched from January 1990 to May 2019. Eligibility criteria included longitudinal studies reporting time spent in PA, SB and/or sleep, with baseline assessments conducted during the last two years of primary school and at least one follow-up during the first two years of secondary school. For studies reporting only SB, this review considered those published from November 2015 onwards to update a previous systematic review., Results: The present review identified six articles that reported changes in PA (n=5) or PA and SB concurrently (n=1). Most articles had a high risk of bias (n=4/6). There was limited but consistent evidence of a change in PA over the school transition period; in particular a decrease in total daily PA and during specific time periods (i.e., in-school, after-school and leisure time). A concurrent but opposite change was observed in SB. No studies were identified that assessed changes in sleep, or all three movement behaviours concurrently., Conclusions: Further research exploring concurrent changes in all movement behaviours (PA, SB and sleep) and associated factors is warranted to inform future behavioural interventions and policies for promoting an optimal 24h movement behaviour pattern during this critical developmental period., (Copyright © 2019 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep for Children under 5 Years of Age were released in 2019. The aim of this study was to examine the proportion of Chinese kindergarten children who met each individual guideline and each combination of the guidelines and the associations with adiposity., Methods: Participants were 254 kindergarten children aged 4.1-6.3 years recruited from three kindergartens in urban area of Beijing. Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep duration were assessed using 24-h accelerometry over three consecutive days. Screen time was reported by parents. Weight and height were measured; and children were categorised into normal weight and overweight/obese groups according to the WHO age- and sex- specific criteria. Frequency analyses were performed to examine the proportion of children meeting individual and combination of these guidelines. Logistics regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between guideline compliance and adiposity., Results: The proportion of children who met the physical activity (≥ 3 h daily physical activity, including ≥1 h daily moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA)), sedentary screen time (< 1 h/day), and sleep guidelines (10-13 h/day) were 65.4, 88.2 and 29.5%, respectively; only 15.0% met all three guidelines and 2.7% did not meet any of the guidelines. Not meeting the physical activity guideline, sleep guideline, or combination of any two guidelines, or all three guidelines was not associated with overweight or obesity; however, children who did not meet the sedentary screen time guidelines were at higher risk for overweight and obesity (odds ratio = 3.76, 95% CI: 1.50-9.45)., Conclusions: In our study, only a small proportion of children met all three guidelines. Most Chinese kindergarten children met physical activity guidelines or screen time guidelines, whereas fewer children met sleep guideline. Not meeting sedentary screen time guidelines was associated with adiposity, which warrant further interventions for limiting screen time in young children.

Objectives: ActiGraph accelerometer cut-points are commonly used to classify sedentary behaviour (SB) in young children. However, they vary from 5counts/5s to 301counts/15s, resulting in different estimates and inconsistent findings. The aim was to examine the concurrent validity of ActiGraph GT3X+cut-points against the activPAL for measuring SB in 2-3-year-olds during free-living conditions., Design: Observational validation-study., Methods: Sixty children were fitted with the activPAL and ActiGraph simultaneously for at least 2h. Nine ActiGraph cut-points ranging from 60 to 1488 counts per minute were used to derive SB. Bland & Altman plots and equivalent tests were performed to assess agreement between methods., Results: Estimates of SB according to the different ActiGraph cut-points were not within the activPAL ±10% equivalent interval (-4.05; 4.05%). The ActiGraph cut-points that showed the lower bias were 48counts/15s (equivalence lower limit: p= 0.597; equivalence upper limit: p<0.001; bias: -4.46%; limits of agreement [LoA]: -21.07 to 30.00%) and 5counts/5s (equivalence lower limit: p<0.001; equivalence upper limit: p= 0.737; bias: -5.11%; LoA: 30.43 to 20.20%). For the 25counts/15s, 37counts/15s and 48counts/15s ActiGraph cut-points, the upper limits were within the equivalent interval (p<0.001) but not the lower limits (p>0.05). When using the 5counts/5s and 181counts/15s ActiGraph cut-points, lower limits were within the equivalent interval (p<0.001) but not the upper limits (p>0.05). Confidence intervals of the remaining ActiGraph cut-points lie outside the equivalent interval., Conclusions: Although none of the ActiGraph cut-points provided estimates of SB that were equivalent to activPAL; estimates from 48counts/15s and 5counts/5s displayed the smallest mean bias (˜5%)., (Copyright © 2019 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study examined the associations between environmental characteristics of early childhood education and care (ECEC) centers and 1-year change in toddlers' physical activity and sedentary behavior while at the centers., Methods: Data from 292 toddlers from the GET-UP! study were analyzed. Environmental characteristics of ECEC centers were rated using the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-revised edition at baseline. Children's physical activity and sedentary behavior in the centers were assessed using activPAL devices, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Linear mixed models were performed to examine the associations between the environmental characteristics and change in the proportion of time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior., Results: Compared with baseline, children spent a higher proportion of time in sedentary behavior (sitting) but a lower proportion of time in standing and physical activity (stepping) while at ECEC centers, at 1-year follow-up. The environmental characteristics "interaction" (B = -1.39; P = .01) and "program structure" (B = -1.15; P = .04) were negatively associated with change in the proportion of time spent in physical activity., Conclusion: Better "interaction" and "program structure" may preclude children's physical activity from declining over time and may be considered important features to target in future interventions in ECEC centers aiming at promoting active lifestyles.

Background: The early years have been identified as a critical period during which sedentary habits may be established, as this behavior appears to track throughout life., Objective: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the current literature on the prevalence of sedentary behavior in children aged 1-5.99 years, reporting differences between boys and girls, weekdays and weekend days, childcare hours and nonchildcare hours, and between time spent indoors and outdoors while children attended childcare., Methods: Five databases were searched until 26.10.2017 and meta-analyses were conducted to estimate prevalence and calculate mean differences in prevalence between groups., Results: Fifty studies representing 14 598 children (2-5.99 years) were included. Children spent 51.4% of their waking time in sedentary behaviors. Boys spent less time being sedentary than girls (estimate difference = -1.4%; 95%CI = -2.0: -0.7; P < .001). No significant differences were found between weekdays/weekend days (estimate difference = -0.4; 95%CI = -2.0: 1.2; P = .61) nor between childcare hours/nonchildcare hours (estimate difference = %; 95%CI = -0.9: 6.6; P = .136). While attending childcare centers, children were more sedentary indoors than outdoors (estimate difference = 14.4%; 95%CI = 11.8: 16.9; P < .001)., Conclusions: Our results suggest that young children spend a significant portion of their waking hours in sedentary behaviors. While at childcare, young children accumulated more sedentary behavior indoors than outdoors. Girls were more likely to be more sedentary than boys. No significant differences were found between weekdays and weekends, or between childcare and nonchildcare hours. There is a need for higher-quality studies with strong designs, using age and device appropriate cut-off points, to improve evidence-base and to better establish prevalence of sedentary behavior in young children., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: In youth, research on the health benefits of breaking up sitting time is inconsistent. Our aim was to explore the association between the number of breaks in sitting time and adiposity in Australian toddlers., Methods: This study comprised 266 toddlers (52% boys), aged 19.6 ± 4.2 months from the GET-UP! Study, Australia. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and z-scores by age and sex were computed for waist circumference (WC). Participants were classified as overweight according to the WHO criteria for BMI. For WC, participants with a z-score≥1SD were considered overweight. Sitting time was assessed with activPALs during childcare hours and participants were classified by tertiles of the number of breaks/h in sitting time: <26 breaks/h; 26-39 breaks/h, and >39 breaks/h. Logistic regression assessed odds ratios for non-overweight (BMI or waist circumference categories) by number of breaks in sitting time/h, controlling for age, sex, and socioeconomic status., Results: The number of breaks in sitting time significantly predicted a lower weight status (non-overweight) according to WC values (P for trend = 0.032) after adjustments., Conclusions: Breaking up sitting time was positively associated with toddlers' waist circumference. Future studies are needed to determine whether breaking up sitting time is a protective for cardiometabolic health in toddlers., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Study Objective: This study aimed to examine the direct effects of environmental characteristics of early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres on adiposity, and the indirect effects through daily movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary time and naps)., Methods: 274 children (average age 19.73 ± 4.15 months) from 27 ECEC centres participated in this study. Environmental characteristics of ECEC centres were rated using the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-revised edition (ITERS-R). Daily movement behaviours were assessed using 24-h accelerometry. Body mass index z-scores were used to indicate adiposity., Results: There were no significant direct effects or indirect effects of environmental characteristics on toddlers' adiposity through daily movement behaviours. However, the environmental characteristics of "personal care routine" (B=0.72, p = 0.041) and "activity" (B = 0.87, p < 0.050) were positively associated with the percentage of time these toddlers spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). "Listening and talking" was also positively associated withnap(s) durations (B = 4.08 p = 0.001)., Conclusion: The relationships between environmental characteristics of ECEC centres and adiposity in toddlers, as well as, the mediating roles of daily movement behaviours still need confirmation by future longitudinal and experimental studies with long follow-up periods. At the same time, a broader spectrum of environmental characteristics of these settings needs to be examined with toddlers' adiposity in future studies; other potential mediators may also need to be taken into considerations., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Demographic correlates of movement behaviors in infants are unclear. This study examined the longitudinal associations between demographic correlates and movement behaviors in infants. Methods: Participants were 411 parents of infants from the Early Movers project in Edmonton, Canada. Movement behaviors, infant and parental age, and nonparental care time were assessed using a parental questionnaire at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Other infant and parental demographic variables were assessed at 2 months of age. Linear and generalized linear mixed models were conducted. Results: Infant age was associated with all movement behaviors except for restrained time. White infants and those with older parents had less tummy time but increased odds of having reading time. Infants of the most educated parents also had lower tummy time. Higher parental education and more siblings were associated with no screen time and longer infant sleep time. Infants with immigrant parent(s) were less likely to have reading time. No associations were found for infant sex, time spent in nonparental care, and parental marital status. Conclusion: Since no single demographic group demonstrated healthy patterns for all movement behaviors, promotion of a healthy balance of movement behaviors may be needed universally for all infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to understand whether a higher number of sedentary bouts (SED bouts) and higher levels of sedentary time (SED time) occur according to different day types (childcare days, nonchildcare weekdays, and weekends) in Australian toddlers (1–2.99 y) and preschoolers (3–5.99 y). Methods: The SED time and bouts were assessed using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers. The sample was composed of 264 toddlers and 343 preschoolers. The SED bouts and time differences were calculated using linear mixed models. Results: The toddlers' percentage of SED time was higher on nonchildcare days compared with childcare days (mean difference [MD] = 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.7 to 3.9). The toddlers had a higher number of 1- to 4-minute SED bouts on nonchildcare days compared with childcare days. The preschoolers presented higher percentages of SED time during nonchildcare days (MD = 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.6 to 4.5) and weekends (MD = 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 0.4 to 3.4) compared with childcare days. The preschoolers presented a higher number of SED bouts (1–4, 5–9, 10–19, and 20–30 min) during nonchildcare days and weekends compared with childcare days. No SED times or bout differences were found between nonchildcare days and weekends, neither SED bouts >30 minutes on toddlers nor on preschoolers. Conclusion: The SED time and bouts seem to be lower during childcare periods, which means that interventions to reduce sedentary time should consider targeting nonchildcare days and weekends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For effective public health and surveillance it is important to document the proportion of young children who meet the new Australian Integrated 24 h Movement Guidelines for the Early Years and how these associate with health outcomes. We aimed to (i) assess compliance with the new Integrated 24 h Movement Guidelines for the Early Years in a sample of Australian toddlers; and (ii) ascertain whether compliance with the guidelines associates with weight status.Methods: The sample comprised 202 toddlers (104 girls) aged 19.74 ± 4.07 months from the GET UP!Study: Participants wore accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X+) for 24 h over 7 consecutive days to assess physical activity, sedentary time and sleep. Parents reported participants' screen time. Weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) z-scores by age and sex were calculated. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to test differences in BMI z-scores between participants complying with (i) none or any individual guideline, (ii) any combination of meeting two guidelines, and (iii) those who met all three guidelines, adjusting for child age, gender and socioeconomic status.Results: Only 8.9% of the sample met the overall 24 h movement guidelines. Most of the sample met the physical activity (96.5%) and sleep (79.7%) guidelines but only 11.4% met the sedentary behavior guideline. Average BMI Z-scores did not significantly differ between children who complied with none or any individual guideline, any combination of meeting two guidelines, and those who met all three guidelines (p > 0.05). Although the lack of significant differences, participants who accomplished any combination of two guidelines or all three guidelines appear to have had a lower BMI Z-score than those complying with one of the guidelines or none.Conclusions: Just under 9% of our sample met the overall Australian 24 h Movement Guidelines for the Early Years. BMI was not associated with the accomplishment of any of the 24-h Movement Guidelines. Strategies to promote adherence to the 24-h movement guidelines in toddlers, particularly for screen time, are necessary, as promoting health-related behaviors in early childhood has the potential to provide children a strong foundation for lifelong physical and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]