Submission Type

Article

Understanding Factors Related to the Development of Obesity Among Preschoolers and the Importance of Promoting Physical Activity Early in Life

Authors

Cheryl Maykel
Jessica S. Reinhardt

Abstract

It is known that most children do not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity on a daily basis and that physical activity is inversely related to overweight status. Various physical and mental health concerns have been associated with overweight status. Conversely, various physical, mental, and cognitive health benefits have been associated with increased physical activity. While there is some evidence to suggest that the trend in overweight status may be leveling off, the rate of occurrence is still high (Hales et al., 2017). In addition, young children continue to fail to meet the recommendations for daily physical activity as well as for sedentary behavior (Colley et al., 2013). It is known that overweight status and physical activity habits both tend to persist from childhood and adolescence into adulthood. Therefore, the importance of intervening to increase physical activity among young children remains of great importance to overall well-being.

Recommended Citation

Maykel, Cheryl and Reinhardt, Jessica S. (2023) "Understanding Factors Related to the Development of Obesity Among Preschoolers and the Importance of Promoting Physical Activity Early in Life," Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and Education: Vol. 5: Iss. 1, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58948/2834-8257.1044
Available at: https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/perspectives/vol5/iss1/5