Wide Variability in Physical Activity Environments and Weather-Related Outdoor Play Policies in Child Care Centers Within a Single County of Ohio
Wide Variability in Physical Activity Environments and Weather-Related Outdoor Play Policies in Child Care Centers Within a Single County of Ohio
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DOI：
10.1001/archpediatrics.2010.267
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发表时间：
2011-05-01
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
Kalkwarf, Heidi J.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Copeland, Kristen A.;Sherman, Susan N.;Kalkwarf, Heidi J.
目标：检查儿童保育中心身体活动环境和户外游戏政策的变异性，并确定这种变异性是否与所调查的儿童保育中心的人口特征相关。设计：早期学习环境身体活动和营养电话调查。背景：2008 年至 2009 年期间俄亥俄州汉密尔顿县（大辛辛那提地区）的儿童保育中心。参与者：汉密尔顿所有 185 个有执照的全日制儿童保育中心的主任县结果衡量标准：游乐场和室内体育活动环境以及与天气相关的户外游戏政策的描述性衡量标准。结果：在 185 个符合条件的托儿中心中，有 162 个 (88%) 回复了我们的调查。在做出回应的 162 个中心中，有 151 个 (93%) 报告称有现场游乐场，但略多于一半的中心称他们的游乐场很大，至少有三分之一被遮荫，或者有各种便携式游乐设备。只有一半的人表示拥有专门的室内大运动室，孩子们可以在恶劣天气期间在那里活动。只有 32 个中心 (20%) 允许儿童在气温低于 32 F (0 C) 时外出，70 个中心 (43%) 报告允许儿童在小雨期间外出。接受学费援助的儿童比例较高与体育活动设施质量较低和与天气相关的做法更加严格有关。国家认证与更多促进身体活动的做法相关。结论：我们发现俄亥俄州单个县内的儿童保育中心提供的室内和室外身体活动环境存在相当大的差异。根据儿童保育中心的户外游戏政策和室内体育活动的选择，儿童的体育活动机会可能会因零度以下的气温或小雨而减少。可能需要改变政策以及对家长和教师进行教育，以确保儿童有充足的机会进行日常体育活动。
Objectives: To examine the variability of physical activity environments and outdoor play policies in child care centers and to determine whether this variability is associated with the demographic characteristics of the child care centers surveyed.Design: Early Learning Environments Physical Activity and Nutrition Telephone Survey.Setting: Child care centers in Hamilton County (greater Cincinnati area), Ohio, during the period from 2008 to 2009.Participants: Directors of all 185 licensed full-time child care centers in Hamilton County.Outcome Measures: Descriptive measures of playground and indoor physical activity environments and weather-related outdoor play policies.Results: Of 185 eligible child care centers, 162 (88%) responded to our survey. Of the 162 centers that responded, 151 (93%) reported an on-site playground, but slightly more than half reported that their playgrounds were large, that they were at least one-third covered in shade, or that they had a variety of portable play equipment. Only half reported having a dedicated indoor gross motor room where children could be active during inclement weather. Only 32 centers (20%) allowed children to go outside in temperatures below 32 F (0 C), and 70 centers (43%) reported allowing children outdoors during light rain. A higher percentage of children receiving tuition assistance was associated with lower quality physical activity facilities and stricter weather-related practices. National accreditation was associated with more physical activity-promoting practices.Conclusion: We found considerable variability in the indoor and outdoor physical activity environments offered by child care centers within a single county of Ohio. Depending on the outdoor play policy and options for indoor physical activity of a child care center, children's opportunities for physical activity can be curtailed as a result of subfreezing temperatures or light rain. Policy changes and education of parents and teachers may be needed to ensure that children have ample opportunity for daily physical activity.