Influence of dietary habits, screen time, and sleep on anthropometric variables, physical fitness, and Motor Competence in Preschool Children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.118228Keywords:
dinamometry, speed/agility, throwing, Catching, balanceAbstract
Introduction: Early childhood is a critical period for the establishment of fundamental health behaviors, during which lifestyle factors such as dietary habits, screen time, and sleep patterns may influence long-term health outcomes.
Objective: To examine the associations of dietary habits, screen time, and sleep with anthropometric indicators, physical fitness, and gross motor competence in preschool children.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a non-probability sample of 363 children aged 4–7 years from several municipalities in southern Chile. Anthropometric measures (weight, height, BMI, and waist circumference), physical fitness (muscular strength and speed/agility), and gross motor competence were assessed. Parents completed questionnaires regarding dietary habits, screen time, and sleep duration. Differences between groups were analyzed by age and adherence level using Student’s t-test and ANOVA
Results: No significant differences were observed according to adherence to screen time recommendations. Few differences were found according to dietary habits, including height among 5-year-olds (p = 0.039) and jumping performance among 6-year-olds (p = 0.040). Associations were generally weak and may have been influenced by parental reporting bias.
Discussion: The associations were generally weak, probably influenced by parental biases that underestimated unhealthy behaviors.
Conclusions: Lifestyle factors showed minimal associations with anthropometric and functional outcomes, with sleep emerging as the most consistent predictor of favorable development.
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