Physical Activity Patterns of Preschool-Aged Latino Children in Seasonal and Migrant Farmworker Families

Introduction. Obesity among migrant and seasonal Latino children in farmworker families is prevalent. Physical activity plays a critical role in understanding and preventing overweight and obesity. Systematic studies of physical activity in this health disparate population have not been completed.

Method. This presentation uses questionnaire and accelerometer data from a sample (n=174, target n=250 by 6/1/12) of three year-old Latino children living in farmworker families in eastern North Carolina, to delineate variation in children's physical activity by gender, family farmworker status (i.e., seasonal versus migrant), and participation in head start programs. Children were asked to wear an accelerometer for 7 consecutive days; adherence was defined as at least 5 “wear days” (8 or more hours of wear) including at least one weekend day.

Results. Over 85% of children had complete accelerometer data for 5 or more days. For the vast majority of active time, children engaged in sedentary or light-intensity physical activity. Children engaged in moderate or vigorous physical activity less that 1% of the time. Boys were more active than girls. Children of migrant farmworkers tended to engage in less physical activity than children of seasonal farmworkers. No differences were observed for children enrolled in Head Start.

Conclusion. Preschool-aged Latino children in farmworker families engage in very little moderate to vigorous physical activity. There is substantial need to engage with the farmworker community to develop culturally- and situationally-appropriate physical activity programs to help minimize childhood obesity in this vulnerable population.