Childhood obesity is rising in the United States, and a new study reveals that child care programs may be contributing to the problem. The latest research seems to suggest that most of the kids in childcare programs across the US aren’t getting enough exercise, setting off a domino chain that would eventually lead to or exacerbate childhood obesity.
The team led by Lauren Olsho, Ph.D., a senior health economist and evaluator at Abt Associates, carried out the comprehensive observational study. The findings appeared in the May issue of the journal Pediatrics.
National guidelines for child care services recommend at least two windows of opportunities for physical activity each day, totaling 60 to 90 minutes. However, the researchers found that 74% of programs provided at least two chances for physical activity, and just around 50% ensured the kids had enough time to exercise. Meanwhile, only 43% of studied child care programs provided the tots with enough time and opportunities for exercising.
Remember, around 60% of American children are in some sort of formal child care for an average of thirty hours per week, implying that child care settings represent the primary option for many preschoolers to be active. However, the contrary is true for most daycare-going children, who get less-than-recommended physical activity.
Unfortunately, the consequences of unchecked and prolonged inactivity among daycare children can be pretty dire. This can be incredibly impactful on kids suffering from autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), who often need to incorporate physical activity into their routine therapies.
Less active children not only are less physically fit and tend to be poorly coordinated but also have greater rates of obesity, shorter attention spans, and poorer cognitive development, according to experts from Harvard University.
Most kids in daycare programs aren’t being nearly as active as recommended
For the research in question, the team observed hundreds of kids in 131 head start programs and 96 childcare centers like daycares to check how much physical exercise the little ones received both in and outside their classrooms.
Their findings were staggering, noting that around a quarter of the kids’ time was spent not being active, not accounting for the time they ate their meals, napping, and whatnot. The most surprising finding is the portion of time that kids spend being sedentary, with most kiddos just lying or sitting down.
As part of the conclusion, researchers asserted that parents, guardians, teachers, and caregivers could play a crucial role in reversing this trend and helping children increase the amount of active time. Younger kiddos tend to be very busy at the beginning of outdoor activities, especially play sessions so they might be better off with several shorter sessions rather than one long recess.
The investigators also note that caregivers and teachers should play with the children they’re in charge of. That’s because Olson’s team found that the kiddos in daycare centers and other childcare programs whose caregivers and teachers didn’t dedicate the time to play with them outside received an average of 30 minutes less active daily. That’s quite astounding in the grand scheme of things.
Getting the little ones moving indoors and outdoors
Not just that; child care programs should also find an array of avenues and ways to get the kids to move and stay active while indoors, especially in poor weather. Indeed, the best daycare centers usually incorporate light to moderately demanding indoor physical activities into their daily routines. And there are plenty of those to consider, including balance exercises, yoga, stretching, musical games, and even dance parties.
By ditching the notion of a one-size-fits-all routine for a more flexible approach to learning and physical activities, child care programs are far more likely to see better results. The tots are more likely to stay alert, become more social, and stay active throughout their session.
But it all starts with choosing a suitable childcare facility for your little one. Researchers recommend that parents consider the presence and size of the outdoor play area when selecting an ideal daycare center for their children.
If a daycare facility doesn’t have an on-site playground or the play space is insufficient, the parents should inquire if there are nearby places where the kids can play. They should also inspect the daycare’s day-to-day schedule to ensure they provide at least two scheduled daily sessions for outside play.
Many industry experts agree with the findings and recommendations made by Olson’s team. For starters, they agree that insufficient exercise in early childhood programs can set children for issues with their health and weight as they grow.
According to the National Center for Weight and Wellness director, Dr. Scott Kahan, lack of physical fitness and physical activity, particularly in young kids, are linked to a series of behavioral and health issues. A sedentary lifestyle can also increase the risk factors for other later-in-life conditions like osteoporosis, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
The other way around is also accurate. Embracing an active lifestyle right from a tender age can lower the risk of aforementioned chronic conditions, as well as boost mood, and reduce stress. Thankfully, daycares and child care programs, particularly those that care for preschoolers, are perfect places for starting to guide children to engage in more exercising as part of their daily routine, as well as to build habits and interest in being active.
Nonetheless, Olson’s study suggests that we have a long way to go in supporting health-oriented activity in our young kids’ lives. Other experts suggest that parents ask their kids about their daily daycare activities to get a clearer picture of the level of physical activity they receive during the day. It might also be wise for parents to visit their children’s childcare facilities and observe what’s happening firsthand from time to time.
Conclusion
A growing body of research, including the new study by Dr. Olson, shows that young children may not be getting nearly enough physical activity in their daycares. It pays for parents to choose daycare centers that prioritize their children’s physical activity and physical fitness. They can also encourage physical activity at home and set screen time limits to offset shortfalls at child care centers.
About the Author
Sandra Chiu works as Director at LadyBug & Friends Daycare and Preschool