Thai Preschoolers' movement behaviors outside kindergarten: prevalence of meeting individual and integrated movement guidelines

Areekul Amornsriwatanakul; Chutima Jalayondeja; Apichai Wattanapisit; Rattanaporn Chootong; Suchada Saovieng; Ampika Nantabancha; Vimolmas Tansathitaya; Terence Chua; Michael Chia

doi:10.1038/s41390-023-02989-1

Thai Preschoolers' movement behaviors outside kindergarten: prevalence of meeting individual and integrated movement guidelines

Pediatr Res. 2024 Apr;95(5):1363-1371. doi: 10.1038/s41390-023-02989-1. Epub 2024 Jan 9.

Authors

Areekul Amornsriwatanakul¹, Chutima Jalayondeja², Apichai Wattanapisit³, Rattanaporn Chootong⁴, Suchada Saovieng¹, Ampika Nantabancha¹, Vimolmas Tansathitaya⁵, Terence Chua⁶, Michael Chia⁶

Affiliations

¹ College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, 999 Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Salaya, Phutthamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
² Faculty of Physical Therapy, Mahidol University, 999 Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Salaya, Phutthamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
³ School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.
⁴ Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, 15 Karnjanavanich Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand.
⁵ College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, 999 Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Salaya, Phutthamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand. vimolmas.tan@mahidol.ac.th.
⁶ Physical Education & Sports Science, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore.

PMID: 38195938
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02989-1

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate movement behaviors of Thai preschoolers (aged 3-6 years) occurring outside kindergarten in urban areas across Thailand.

Methods: Surveillance of digital Media in eArLy chiLdhood Questionnaire® was used to collect data from 1051 parents recruited from 12 schools. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were applied for data analysis.

Results: Thai preschoolers engaged in physical activity (PA), sedentary screen time, and sleep on weekends significantly more than weekdays with no significant sex differences. Preschoolers met the sleep guidelines the most (62.3%), followed by PA guidelines (48.0%), and screen time (ST) guidelines the least (44.1%). Only 14.6% met the integrated movement guidelines, and 11% met none of the guidelines. Age was positively associated with meeting the PA guidelines, and negatively associated with meeting the sleep and integrated movement guidelines. The number of digital devices at home and geographical region influenced preschoolers in meeting the PA and ST guidelines.

Conclusions: Thai preschoolers' time spent on all forms of activities outside kindergarten was significantly more on weekends than weekdays with no sex disparity. The prevalence of meeting the integrated movement guidelines was low, and needs to be addressed through comprehensive programs including all forms of activities concurrently.

Impact: Thai preschoolers engaged in physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep on weekends significantly more than weekdays with no significant sex differences. Only 14.6% of preschoolers met the integrated movement guidelines. Age had a significant relationship with meeting the PA, sleep, and integrated movement guidelines. Meeting the PA and ST guidelines in preschoolers was positively associated with the number of digital devices at home. Despite some limitations, this study presented preschoolers' time engaged in the three movement behaviors concurrently, and provided important inputs for development of the national strategic plan to promote PA among Thai children and youth.