Year

2019

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

School of Education

Abstract

The overall purpose of this Doctorate was to add to the evidence base on the relationships between the environment in early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres, movement behaviour (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep), and adiposity, in young children.

This thesis comprises a literature review, followed by six studies: the first study (Environmental Characteristics of Early Childhood Education and Care Centres and Young Children’s Weight Status: A Systematic Review) systematically reviewed ECEC environmental correlates of weight status in children under the age of 6 years using a socio-environmental framework. From the eight included studies, 22 environmental characteristics were identified and classified into four domains (physical, political, economic, and sociocultural); of these, six correlates were found. ‘Active environment’ ‘sedentary opportunities’, ‘active play time’, ‘high sugar and high fat served’, ‘educators’ weight status’ and ‘educators’ habitual physical activity level’ were associated with weight status in young children.

FoR codes (2008)

1106 HUMAN MOVEMENT AND SPORTS SCIENCE, 1117 PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES, 1399 OTHER EDUCATION

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.