The Chief Medical Officer guidelines for physical activity state that children aged 1 to 4 years should spend at least 180 minutes per day in a variety of physical activities at any intensity, with pre-schoolers (3-4 YO) spending at least 60 minutes (of the 180 minutes) being moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity.
Physical activity levels for pre-school children in the UK are unclear due to challenges in data collection (such as children’s movement being often unstructured and sporadic and limitations of parental reporting). Tools such as accelerometers offer a valid, reliable method for collecting data in this age group.
Data was collected from 419 children aged 2 to 4 attending early years settings across four local authorities (Somerset, Swindon, Sandwell, Arran and Ayrshire) between 2022 and 2024. The children wore activity belts containing small accelerometer sensors that measure movement.
Findings:
- Children aged 2 to 4 were more active and less sedentary on weekdays when they were in early childhood education and care settings compared with weekdays spent in alternative places (e.g. the home environment)
- Fewer than a quarter (23%) met recommended guidelines of 180 minutes of daily physical activity, and only 2.4% achieved the target of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.
- Boys were 8% more likely than girls to meet the guidelines.
- Physical activity guidelines were more likely to be met in older children.