Longitudinal follow-up of physical activity from preschool to school age: The ELOS-Pré study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify if the practice of physical activity in the preschool age (3-5 years) is predictive of this behavior after entering the school age (5-7 years). A longitudinal, school-based study with 700 children enrolled in public and private schools of the city of Recife, Pernambuco, who were evaluated in 2010 and followed in 2012. The study variables were the time spent in outdoor games and plays (a measure referred to by the parents / guardians of children through questionnaire applied as an interview) and the level of physical activity (objective measure obtained by the Actigraph accelerometer). The latter measure was extracted from a subsample (n = 98) of children. To analyze data, binary logistic regression was used. Children who spent 60+ minutes per day in this type of activity were 45% more likely of maintaining this behavior after entering the school age (OR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.02-2.07, p = 0.04). In addition, children who presented global NAF measure of 300+ counts / minute in 2010 were 173% more likely of maintaining this level of physical activity after entering the school age (OR = 2.73, 95% CI, 98-7.59, p = 0.06). It was verified that the practice of physical activity in the preschool age is a predictor of this behavior after entering the school age. It is suggested the development of campaigns to inform parents and teachers about the importance of early adherence to physical activity recommendations.