Do Children Recognize the Impact of Physical and Sedentary Activities on Weight?

Objectives: The following three studies examined if 4–5 year olds, 7–8 year olds and adults recognized the impact of physical and sedentary activities on weight. Methods: Study 1 examined if 4–5 year olds and adults recognized the impact of physical activities on weight. Study 2 investigated if all three age groups of participants recognized the difference that physical activities and sedentary activities would have on weight. Study 3 examined if participants recognized the short-term and long-term impact of active and sedentary activities on weight. Results: The results demonstrated that compared to 7 and 8 year olds, 4 and 5 year olds had a difficult time in making a clear distinction between the impact of physical and sedentary activities on weight. Conclusions: Preschoolers have an impoverished recognition of the impact of activities on weight compared to children in middle childhood. This suggests the need for parents and educators to further emphasize the importance of physical activities in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]