Grant: Operating Grant - PA: Reproductive and Child Heath (start-up grants)

The healthy growth and development of Canada's youngest generation is fundamental in ensuring the long-term health and prosperity of our nation. Regular physical activity and minimal sedentary behaviour (e.g., television viewing), during the early years (4 years and younger) is important for healthy growth and development, and preventing chronic diseases. However, only 15% of young Canadian children in the early years are meeting the national guidelines for both behaviours. Parents play key roles in children's socialization and development. Our pilot work indicates parents have important influences on these behaviours, but gaps exist in our understanding of parental influences. Previous work is limited by several factors. The proposed study addresses current gaps and limitations to examine the influence of parental cognitions (e.g., confidence) and behaviours (e.g., support, limits) within a theoretical model of factors predicting objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour among a sample of young children. In partnership with Alberta Health Services, 600 children aged 18 to 24 months and their parents will be recruited from four major immunization clinics in Edmonton, AB. Participating parents will complete a questionnaire. Children's physical activity and sedentary behaviour will be measured objectively with a waist-mounted motion sensor, called an accelerometer, for 7 consecutive days. Several neighbourhood environment variables will be measured using geographic software. Our findings will provide key knowledge in this under-researched segment of the population that will be novel internationally. Furthermore, our findings will uncover modifiable targets for future family-centred interventions and initiatives aiming to establish healthy habits of regular physical activity and minimal sedentary behaviour in young children. The findings may also inform current and future provincial and national health promotion initiatives and campaigns.