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Sedentary and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among preschool-aged Latino children in farmworker families
Methods. The Ninos Sanos study is a prospective longitudinal cohort study (N=248) of Latino preschool-aged children's dietary and physical activity habits.
Results. 27.4% of the sample were in a migrant farmworker family, most children were female (52%), and fully 98% of children were born in the US while 85% of mothers were born in Mexico. The average child was sedentary 6 hours/day (M=395.1 minutes, SD=140.5), not including sleep. Children engaged in little MVPA (M=8.2, SD=7.5). Being sedentary was more common during “warm” season (April – October) than “cool” season (November – March). Children with farmworker mothers spent more time in MVPA. Maternal reports of how frequently the child is taken to parks or play spaces are associated with more time in MVPA.
Discussion. Time spent sedentary is substantial among Latino children in farmworker families, and there is a substantial gap between time spent in MVPA and recommended levels of physical activity. Refined attempts to incorporate movement into head start curriculum may be needed, and outreach activities advocating taking children to public parks and play spaces may promote regular physical activity among farmworker children.
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe 2 or more barriers to regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among preschool aged Latino children in farmworker families.
Explain the prevalence of sedentary and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among preschool-aged Latino children in farmworker families.
Identify two contextual correlates of sedentary and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among preschool-aged Latino children in farmworker families.
Keywords: Child Health Promotion, Physical Activity
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the former PI of the research, I have over 10 years of experience conducting research on immigrant latino families.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.