Investigators: Elizabeth Wenden, Gina Trapp, Hayley Christian, Pulan Bai, Zino Phiri
The early years (2-5 years) are critical for the development of movement behaviours, such as regular physical activity, adequate sleep and minimising time spent sedentary. The Australian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years considers sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity as three co-dependent behaviours. The objective of this study is to investigate young children’s movement behaviours and their impact on future health (weight status) and development (social-emotional and motor) in order to inform national Movement Guidelines and future intervention strategies.
Our team have comprehensively measured movement behaviours, weight status and development outcomes in a representative sample of over 2000 children aged 2-5 years as part of the Healthway funded PLAY Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity (PLAYCE) study. We have followed up this cohort in their first year of full-time school and are currently following them up in years 3 and 4. The PLAYCE cohort study uses validated movement behaviour and outcome measures to provide critical information about the causal relationships between early movement behaviours and early child health and development. The findings will identify key windows for interventions targeting young children’s movement behaviours to ensure they have the best chance of a healthy future.
Project Partners:
- Denise Sullivan, Robyn Landais, Ciara O'Flaherty (Department of Health WA)
- Griffin Longley (NaturePlay Australia)
- Minderoo Foundation
- Rachelle Tucker, Shelley Prendergast (Australian Childcare Alliance)
- Rhonda Livingstone (Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority)
- Todd Dawson (Goodstart Australia)
- Trevor Shilton (National Heart Foundation)
Publications: