Just read an article in Education Week that summarized the findings of a study that looked at environmental factors that influence children’s weight. The researchers studied 20 child-care centers across North Carolina and drew the following conclusions about preschoolers and activity:

• Pre-K kids are more active for longer periods of time when they have access to portable play items like jump ropes balls and riding toys.
• Slides and climbing equipment-permanent-structure type things-results in less intense physical activity.
• Pre-K kids are less sedentary when teachers and other adults have been trained on how to encourage exercise.
• Computers and televisions were linked to HIGHER activity-most likely because the child-care centers that could provide these kinds of electronic equipment were also likely to have money for training and portable equipment as well.

Linda Jacobson’s article-”Simple Is Best in Promoting Pre-K Activity, Study Finds-can be found in the January 30^th issue of Education Week. The actual study can be found in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Just one more thing to consider when it comes to child care…