Objectively Measured Habitual Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior In A Representative Sample Of Toddlers

Purpose To describe the physical activity levels and sedentary behavior of toddlers from Ventura County, California

Methods Physical activity and sedentary behavior was measured in twenty three- (10 boys, 13 girls) toddlers (n= 22 toddlers, mean age 1.65 ± 0.49) using the Actigraph GT1M (Pensacola, Florida). GT1m’s were worn for a minimum of 6 waking hours per day (approximately 60% of the waking hours for children of this age), for a minimum of 4 days. Age appropriate cut-offs were used to categorize intensities of physical activity and describe levels of sedentary behavior.

Results Toddlers spent a total of 3190 ±1217.2 minutes per week engaged in total physical activity. Time spent in sedentary behaviors was 55.2 ± 6.0% for males and 56.8 ±6.5% for females. The gender difference was not statistically significant (ANOVA, p=0.55). Boys spent 1.36 ± 0.22% and girls 1.52 ± 0.11% of their time at light intensity physical activity, with a trend for gender difference significance, (ANOVA, p=0.06). The gender difference for time spent at moderate to vigorous physical activity was not statistically significant (Males 43.5 ± 6.0; Females 41.7 ± 6.5; ANOVA, p=0.51).

Conclusions While preschoolers spent the majority of their day sedentary, our toddlers spent a considerable amount of the day at either sedentary behavior or engaged in MVPA. Future studies should investigate the transition from toddler to preschooler and its implications on physical activity.