Outdoor Play and Obesity

Jill Soto, MS

Doctoral Student

Obesity is a serious public health concern for individuals

of all ages, including preschool-age children

Obesity and Young Children

• Children who are obese by age 6 typically are obese as adults

• 1 in 4 children have the potential to be obese

How much outdoor play?

Research

• Encouragement of outdoor play and fostering an environment of movement among children improves the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive health of children and may be important in the prevention of childhood obesity

Recommendations

• The National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommends that preschoolers spend at least 120 minutes per day engaging in structured and unstructured physical activity

Daily Schedules

Playgrounds

Playgrounds

Increased Knowledge

• CECPD/Child Care Information Exchange collaboration “Turn-Key Training: Preventing Obesity and Promoting Wellness in Early Childhood Settings

• Training on increasing physical activity in child care