Relationships between the home environment and physical activity and dietary patterns of preschool children: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess relationships between characteristics of the home environment and preschool children's physical activity and dietary patterns.

Methods

Homes of 280 preschool children were visited and information obtained by direct observation and parent interview regarding physical and nutritional characteristics of the home environment. Children's physical activity, sedentary behaviour and dietary patterns were measured using standardised parent-report questionnaires. Associations were analysed using analysis of variance and correlation.

Results

Parental physical activity (p = 0.03-0.008), size of backyard (p = 0.001) and amount of outdoor play equipment (p = 0.003) were associated with more outdoor play. Fewer rules about television viewing (p < 0.001) and prese

SUBMITTER: Spurrier NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2432071 | biostudies-literature | 2008 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature