Foundations of Physical Activity and Health Promotion in Early Childhood

Advances in technology have directly impacted the physical activity levels of children. Physical activity refers to any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that result in energy expenditure (Meeks L, Heit P, Page R, Comprehensive school health education: totally awesome strategies for teaching health. McGraw Hill, New York, 2013). Despite well-documented research defining the importance of physical activity during early childhood, today’s children are generally less physically active than children from prior generations. Physical inactivity among children is a public health concern that may be entirely preventable. Regular physical activity is one of the most important things individuals of all ages can do for their health, and early childhood is a critical time for developing self-care habits, including regular exercise. This chapter will define key terms related to physical activity and children’s health, examine international trends in physical activity among children, and provide a rationale for promoting physical activity and wellness in early childcare settings.