Physical activity and screen time in preschool children in Croatia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35469/ak.2025.486Keywords:
preschool children, family, screen time, children’s physical activityAbstract
This research investigates how disparities in physical activity and screen time among preschoolers can be influenced by parental education and involvement, as well as the involvement of the extended family in child-rearing. The study involved 231 parents who provided information about their children from the three (out of four) regions in Croatia. The analysis revealed statistically significant differences in children's screen time based on the parents' educational level (p<0.000) and involvement in joint physical activity (p<0.000). No differences were found in the children’s screen time or physical activity depending on the involvement of extended family members (grandparents). Less screen time does not automatically mean higher levels of physical activity in preschool children. It is essential to determine the factors that influence physical activity in preschool children and the time they spend in front of screens.
Downloads
References
Andersen, E., Borch-Jenssen, J., Øvreås, S., Ellingsen, H., Jørgensen, K. A., & Moser, T. (2017). Objectively measured physical activity level and sedentary behavior in Norwegian children during a week in preschool. Preventive medicine reports, 7, 130-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2017.06.003
Arts, J., Drotos, E., Singh, A. S., Chinapaw, M. J., Altenburg, T. M., & Gubbels, J. S. (2023). Correlates of physical activity in 0-to 5-year-olds: a systematic umbrella review and consultation of international researchers. Sports Medicine, 53(1), 215-240. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01761-5
Aubert, S., Barnes, J. D., Demchenko, I., Hawthorne, M., Abdeta, C., Abi Nader, P., ... & Tremblay, M. S. (2022). Global Matrix 4.0 Physical Activity Report Card grades for children and adolescents: Results and analyses from 57 countries. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 19(11), 700-728. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2022-0456
Balkó, S., Balkó, I., Valter, L., & Jelínek, M. (2017). Influence of physical activities on the posture in 10-11 year old schoolchildren. Journal of physical education and sport, 17 (Supplement 1)16, 101-106. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2017.s1016
Barr, R., Kirkorian, H., Radesky, J., Coyne, S., Nichols, D., Blanchfield, O., ... & Fitzpatrick, C. (2020). Beyond screen time: a synergistic approach to a more comprehensive assessment of family media exposure during early childhood. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 1283. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01283
Bentham, J., Di Cesare, M., Bllano, V. i Boddy, L. M. (2017). Worldwide trends in children's and adolescents' body mass index, underweight and obesity, in comparison with adults, from 1975 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 2,416 population-based measurement studies with 128.9 million participants. The Lancet, 390(10113), 2627-2642. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32129-3
Bento, G., & Dias, G. (2017). The importance of outdoor play for young children's healthy development. Porto biomedical journal, 2(5), 157-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbj.2017.03.003
Berglind, D., & Tynelius, P. (2018). Objectively measured physical activity patterns, sedentary time and parent-reported screen-time across the day in four-year-old Swedish children. BMC Public Health, 18(69), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4600-5
Bingham, D. D., Costa, S., Hinkley, T., Shire, K. A., Clemes, S. A., & Barber, S. E. (2016). Physical activity during the early years: a systematic review of correlates and determinants. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 51(3), 384-402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.04.022
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1995). Developmental ecology through space and time: A future perspective. In P. Moen, G. H. Elder Jr. & K. Lüscher (Eds.), Examining lives in context: Perspectives on the ecology of human development (pp. 619-647). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Budden, T., Coall, D. A., Jackson, B., Christian, H., Nathan, A., & Jongenelis, M. I. (2024). Barriers and enablers to promoting grandchildren’s physical activity and reducing screen time: a qualitative study with Australian grandparents. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 1670. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19178-2
Bueno, S. V., Skejø, S. D., Nielsen, R. O., Ryom, K., Kallestrup, P., Elsborg, P., ... & Jacobsen, J. S. (2025). Danish mothers of young children adhere less to international physical activity guidelines compared with mothers of older children. Preventive Medicine Reports, 50, 102970. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.102970
Burnett, A. J., Ray, C., Lehto, R., Leppänen, M. H., Sajaniemi, N., Erkkola, M., & Roos, E. (2023). The role of parental congruence in pre‐school children's screen time, moderated by parental education. Acta Paediatrica, 112(7), 1504-1510. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.16782
Carballo‐Fazanes, A., Díaz‐Pereira, M. P., Fernández‐Villarino, M. A., Abelairas‐Gómez, C., & Rey, E. (2023). Physical activity in kindergarten, fundamental movement skills, and screen time in Spanish preschool children. Psychology in the Schools, 60(9), 3318-3328. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22925
Caroli, M., Malecka-Tendera, E., Epifani, S., Rollo, R., Sansolios, S., Matusik, P., & Mikkelsen, B. E. (2011). Physical activity and play in kindergarten age children. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 6(sup2), 47-53. https://doi.org/10.3109/17477166.2011.613671
Carson, V., & Janssen, I. (2012). Associations between factors within the home setting and screen time among children aged 0–5 years: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 12, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-539
Chaput, J. P., Willumsen, J., Bull, F., Chou, R., Ekelund, U., Firth, J., … Katzmarzyk, P. T. (2020). 2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for children and adolescents aged 5–17 years: summary of the evidence. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17(141), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-01037-z
Chen, L., Liu, Q., Xu, F., Wang, F., Luo, S., An, X., ... & Liang, X. (2024). Effect of physical activity on anxiety, depression and obesity index in children and adolescents with obesity: A meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 354, 275 - 285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.02.092
Chen, Z., Chi, G., Wang, L., Chen, S., Yan, J., & Li, S. (2022). The combinations of physical activity, screen time, and sleep, and their associations with self-reported physical fitness in children and adolescents. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(10), 5783. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19105783
Crawford, D., Cleland, V., Timperio, A., Salmon, J., Andrianopoulos, N., Roberts, R., … & Ball, K. (2010). The longitudinal influence of home and neighbourhood environments on children's body mass index and physical activity over 5 years: the CLAN study. International Journal of Obesity, 34(7), 1177-1187. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.57
Csima, M., Podráczky, J., Keresztes, V., Soós, E. & Fináncz, J. (2024). The Role of Parental Health Literacy in Establishing Health-Promoting Habits in Early Childhood. Children, 11(5), 576. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11050576
Dankiw, K. A., Tsiros, M. D., Baldock, K. L., & Kumar, S. (2020). The impacts of unstructured nature play on health in early childhood development: A systematic review. Plos one, 15(2), e0229006. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229006
Dawson-Hahn, E. E., Fesinmeyer, M. D., & Mendoza, J. A. (2015). Correlates of physical activity in Latino preschool children attending Head Start. Pediatric Exercise Science, 27(3), 372-379. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2014-0144
Day, J. (2024). The intensification of parenting and generational fracturing of spontaneous physical activity from childhood play in the United Kingdom. Sociology of Health & Illness, 46(1), 153-171. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13701
del Pozo-Cruz, B., Perales, F., Parker, P., Lonsdale, C., Noetel, M., Hesketh, K. D., & Sanders, T. (2019). Joint physical-activity/screen-time trajectories during early childhood: socio-demographic predictors and consequences on health-related quality-of-life and socio-emotional outcomes. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0816-3
Dowda, M., Pfeiffer, K. A., Brown, W. H., Mitchell, J. A., Byun, W., & Pate, R. R. (2011). Parental and environmental correlates of physical activity of children attending preschool. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 165(10), 939-944. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2011.84
Downing, K. L., Hnatiuk, J., & Hesketh, K. D. (2015). Prevalence of sedentary behavior in children under 2 years: a systematic review. Preventive medicine, 78, 105-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.07.019
Garriguet, D., Bushnik, T., & Colley, R. (2017). Parent-child association in physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Statistics Canada 28(6), 3-11.
Ghanamah, R. (2025). The Impact of Physical Activity and Screen Time on Motor Creativity in Kindergarteners. Children, 12(2), 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12020116
Grant, S. J., Beauchamp, M. R., Blanchard, C. M., Carson, V., Gardner, B., Warburton, D. E., & Rhodes, R. E. (2020). Parents and children active together: a randomized trial protocol examining motivational, regulatory, and habitual intervention approaches. BMC Public Health, 20(1436), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09465-z
Greer, A. E., Castrogivanni, B., & Marcello, R. (2017). Park use and physical activity among mostly low-to-middle income, minority parents and their children. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 14(2), 83-87. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2016-0310
Griffith, S. F. (2023). Parent beliefs and child media use: Stress and digital skills as moderators. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 86, 101535.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2023.101535
Guthold, R., Stevens, G. A., Riley, L. M., & Bull, F. C. (2018). Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. The lancet global health, 6(10), e1077-e1086. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7
Güven, A. G., Dönmez, Y. N., İncedere, F., & Taşar, M. A. (2025). Assessing the impact of parents’ digital and health literacy on children’s participation in sport. Health Promotion International, 40(2), daaf038. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaf038
Ha, A. S., He, Q., Lubans, D. R., Chan, C. H., & Ng, J. Y. (2022). Parent-focused online intervention to promote parents’ physical literacy and support children’s physical activity: results from a quasi-experimental trial. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1330. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13739-z
Hamilton, K., Hatzis, D., Kavanagh, D. J., & White, K. M. (2015). Exploring parents’ beliefs about their young child’s physical activity and screen time behaviours. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24, 2638-2652. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1007/s10826-014-0066-6
Hawlader, M. D. H., Mozid, N. E., Sharmin, S., Monju, I. H., Ahmed, S. B., Sarker, W., ... & Dalal, K. (2023). The art of forming habits: applying habit theory in changing physical activity behaviour. Journal of Public Health, 31(12), 2045-2057. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-022-01766-4
Hinkley, T., Brown, H., Carson, V., & Teychenne, M. (2018). Cross sectional associations of screen time and outdoor play with social skills in preschool children. PloS one, 13(4), e0193700. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193700
Hnatiuk, J. A., Dwyer, G., George, E. S., & Bennie, A. (2020). Co-participation in physical activity: perspectives from Australian parents of pre-schoolers. Health Promotion International, 35(6), 1474-1483. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaa022
Holt, N. L., Neely, K. C., Spence, J. C., Carson, V., Pynn, S. R., Boyd, K. A., ... & Robinson, Z. (2016). An intergenerational study of perceptions of changes in active free play among families from rural areas of Western Canada. BMC Public Health, 16, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3490-2
Hu, J., Zhang, S., Ye, W., Zhu, Y., Zhou, H., Lu, L., ... & Korivi, M. (2023). Influence of different caregiving styles on fundamental movement skills among children. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1232551.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1232551
Huang, W., Luo, J., & Chen, Y. (2022). Effects of kindergarten, family environment, and physical activity on children's physical fitness. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 904903. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.904903
Hunter, S., Leatherdale, S. T., Spence, J. C., & Carson, V. (2022). Perceived relevance of neighborhood features for encouraging preschoolers’ active play, parents’ active recreation, and parent–child coactivity. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement, 54(3), 249. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/cbs0000304
Husu, P., Tokola, K., Vähä-Ypyä, H., Sievänen, H., Kokko, S., Villberg, J., & Vasankari, T. (2024). Physical activity has decreased in Finnish children and adolescents from 2016 to 2022. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 1343. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18854-7
Janz, K. F., Broffitt, B. & Levy, S. M. (2005). Validation evidence for the Netherlands physical activity questionnaire for young children: the Iowa bone development study. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 76(3), 363-369. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2005.10599308
Jin, H., Zhou, H., & Chen, K. (2025). Analysis of risk factors for the development of obesity in preschool children: a logistic model analysis. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 13, 1497962. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fped.2025.1497962
Jones, R. A., Hinkley, T., Okely, A. D., & Salmon, J. (2013). Tracking physical activity and sedentary behavior in childhood: a systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 44(6), 651-658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2013.03.001
Jongenelis, M. I., Budden, T., Jackson, B., Christian, H., Nathan, A., Coall, D., & Glassenbury, E. (2024). Australian children’s physical activity and screen time while in grandparental care. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 100146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100146
Jurakić, D., & Pedišić, Ž. (2019). Hrvatske 24-satne preporuke za tjelesnu aktivnost, sedentarno ponašanje i spavanje: prijedlog utemeljen na sustavnom pregledu literature. [Croatian 24-Hour Guidelines for Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep: A Proposal Based on a Systematic Review of Literature.] Medicus, 28(2 Tjelesna aktivnost), 143-153.
Keyes, B. L., & Wilson, K. S. (2021). Influence of parental physical activity and sedentary behavior on young children: Considering time together. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 92(3), 311-320. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2020.1727405
Kippe, K. O., & Lagestad, P. A. (2018). Kindergarten: Producer or reducer of inequality regarding physical activity levels of preschool children. Frontiers in Public Health, 6, 361. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00361
Lampinen, E. K., Eloranta, A. M., Haapala, E. A., Lindi, V., Väistö, J., Lintu, N., ... & Lakka, T. A. (2017). Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and socioeconomic status among Finnish girls and boys aged 6–8 years. European Journal of Sport Science, 17(4), 462-472. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2017.1294619
Lee, E. Y., Shih, A. C., & Tremblay, M. S. (2024). Exploring the world of active play: A comprehensive review of global surveillance and monitoring of active play based on the global matrix data. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 22(3), 254-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2024.03.008
Lee, J. J., Flouri, E., & Jackson, Y. (2025). The Role of Timing and Amount of Outdoor Play in Emotional Dysregulation in Preschool Children. Child: Care, Health and Development, 51(1), e70020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cch.70020
LeBlanc, A. G., Broyles, S. T., Chaput, J. P., Leduc, G., Boyer, C., Borghese, M. M., & Tremblay, M. S. (2015). Correlates of objectively measured sedentary time and self-reported screen time in Canadian children. International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 12, 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0197-1
Lev, Y. B., & Elias, N. (2020). Digital parenting: Media uses in parenting routines during the first two years of life. Studies in Media and Communication, 8(2), 41-48. https://doi.org/10.11114/smc.v8i2.5050
Liang, Y., Jin, Q., Miao, J., Ni, X., Qian, X., Xiong, Y., ... & Xue, H. (2024). Association between screen time and physical activity on mental health among preschoolers: a cross-sectional study from Southwest China. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 261. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17722-8
Lin, L. Y., Cherng, R. J., Chen, Y. J., Chen, Y. J., & Yang, H. M. (2015). Effects of television exposure on developmental skills among young children. Infant Behavior and Development, 38, 20-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2014.12.005
Lopes, V. P., Rodrigues, L. P., Maia, J. A. & Malina, R. M. (2011). Motor coordination as predictor of physical activity in childhood. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 21(5), 663-669. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.01027.x
Loprinzi, P. D. (2015). Association of family functioning on youth physical activity and sedentary behavior. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 12(5), 642-648. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2014-0031
Lu, C., Shen, T., Huang, G., & Corpeleijn, E. (2022). Environmental correlates of sedentary behaviors and physical activity in Chinese preschool children: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 11(5), 620-629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.02.010
Ma, S., Li, J., & Chen, E. E. (2022). Does screen media hurt young children’s social development? Longitudinal associations between parental engagement, children’s screen time, and their social competence. Early Education and Development, 35(1), 10-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2022.2151401
Määttä, S., Kaukonen, R., Vepsäläinen, H., Lehto, E., Ylönen, A., Ray, C., ... & Roos, E. (2017). The mediating role of the home environment in relation to parental educational level and preschool children’s screen time: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 17, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4694-9
Maher, J. P., Ra, C., O'Connor, S. G., Belcher, B. R., Leventhal, A., Margolin, G., & Dunton, G. F. (2017). Associations between maternal mental health and well-being and physical activity and sedentary behavior in children. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 38(6), 385-394. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000000459
Maia, C., Braz, D., Fernandes, H. M., Sarmento, H., & Machado-Rodrigues, A. M. (2025). The Impact of Parental Behaviors on Children’s Lifestyle, Dietary Habits, Screen Time, Sleep Patterns, Mental Health, and BMI: A Scoping Review. Children, 12(2), 203. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/children12020203
Matarma, T., Tammelin, T., Kulmala, J., Koski, P., Hurme, S., & Lagström, H. (2017). Factors associated with objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time of 5–6-year-old children in the STEPS Study. Early Child Development and Care, 187(12), 1863-1873. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2016.1193016
Medina, C., Jáuregui, A., Hernández, C., Shamah, T., & Barquera, S. (2021). Physical inactivity and sitting time prevalence and trends in Mexican adults. Results from three national surveys. Plos one, 16(7), e0253137. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253137
Muñoz-Galiano, I. M., Connor, J. D., Gómez-Ruano, M. A., & Torres-Luque, G. (2020). Influence of the parental educational level on physical activity in schoolchildren. Sustainability, 12(9), 3920. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093920
Pate, R. R., Pfeiffer, K. A., Trost, S. G., Ziegler, P., & Dowda, M. (2004). Physical activity among children attending preschools. Pediatrics, 114(5), 1258-1263. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2003-1088-L
Paudel, S., Marshall, S., Veitch, J., Paudel, C., & Hesketh, K. D. (2025). Migrant parents' perceptions of the benefits, barriers, and facilitators of young children's physical activity and sedentary behavior: A systematic review of qualitative studies. Obesity Reviews, e13889. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13889
Phipps, D., Green, W. T., Aho, R., Kettunen, E., Biddle, S., Hamilton, K., ... & Knittle, K. (2024). A Web-Based Physical Activity Promotion Intervention for Inactive Parent-Child Dyads: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 13(1), e55960. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/55960
Piercy, K. L., Troiano, R. P., Ballard, R. M., Carlson, S. A., Fulton, J. E., Galuska, D. A., ... & Olson, R. D. (2018). The physical activity guidelines for Americans. JAMA, 320(19), 2020-2028. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.14854
Pišot, R. (2022). Physical inactivity–The human health’s greatest enemy. Slovenian Journal of Public Health, 61(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2022-0002
Pyper, E., Harrington, D., & Manson, H. (2016). The impact of different types of parental support behaviours on child physical activity, healthy eating, and screen time: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 16, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3245-0
Ré, A. H. N., Cattuzzo, M. T., Stodden, D., Santos, G. D., Tertuliano, A. L. O., Monteiro, C. B. D. M., ... & Okely, A. D. (2025). Physical development and sociocultural context influences on children’s physical activity. Revista Paulista de Pediatria, 43, e2024113. https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-0462/2025/43/2024113
Rhodes, A. (2017). Screen time and kids: What’s happening in our homes? The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. https://www.rchpoll.org.au/polls/screen-time-whats-happening-in-our-homes/
Rhodes, R. E., & Lim, C. (2018). Promoting parent and child physical activity together: elicitation of potential intervention targets and preferences. Health Education & Behavior, 45(1), 112-123. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198117704266
Rhodes, R. E., Spence, J. C., Berry, T., Deshpande, S., Faulkner, G., Latimer-Cheung, A. E., ... & Tremblay, M. S. (2015). Predicting changes across 12 months in three types of parental support behaviors and mothers’ perceptions of child physical activity. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 49(6), 853-864. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-015-9721-4
Robinson, L. E., Stodden, D. F., Barnett, L. M., Lopes, V. P., Logan, S. W., Rodrigues, L. P., & D'Hondt, E. (2015). Motor Competence and its Effect on Positive Developmental Trajectories of Health. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 45(9), 1273–1284. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0351-6
Rogović, D., Šalaj, S., & Puharić, Z. (2022). Relationship between screen-time and motor skills in preschool children. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 22(4), 976-980. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2022.04124
Sallis, J. F., & Saelens, B. E. (2000). Assessment of physical activity by self-report: status, limitations, and future directions. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 71(sup2), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2000.11082780
Schmidt-Persson, J., Rasmussen, M. G. B., Sørensen, S. O., Mortensen, S. R., Olesen, L. G., Brage, S., ... & Grøntved, A. (2024). Screen media use and mental health of children and adolescents: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 7(7), e2419881-e2419881. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.19881
Schmutz, E. A., Leeger-Aschmann, C. S., Radtke, T., Muff, S., Kakebeeke, T. H., Zysset, A. E., ... & Kriemler, S. (2017). Correlates of preschool children’s objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior: a cross-sectional analysis of the SPLASHY study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-130857
Serbis, A., Giapros, V., Kotanidou, E. P., Galli-Tsinopoulou, A., & Siomou, E. (2021). Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. World Journal of Diabetes, 12(4), 344. http://dx.doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v12.i4.344
Sharkins, K. A., Newton, A. B., Albaiz, N. E. A., & Ernest, J. M. (2016). Preschool children’s exposure to media, technology, and screen time: Perspectives of caregivers from three early childcare settings. Early Childhood Education Journal, 44, 437-444. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-015-0732-3
Sigmundová, D., Sigmund, E., Badura, P., Vokáčová, J., Trhlíková, L., & Bucksch, J. (2016). Weekday-weekend patterns of physical activity and screen time in parents and their pre-schoolers. BMC Public Health, 16, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3586-8
Sobchuk, K., Connolly, S., & Sheehan, D. (2019). Exploring the literature on the benefits of nature and outdoor play and the role of play leaders. The Journal of the Health and Physical Education Council of the Alberta Teachers Association, 50(1), 36-45.
Song, C., & Ge, S. (2025). Enhancing physical activity levels in 9–11-year-old children of varied genders: strategies leveraging parental exercise consciousness. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1407090. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1407090
Sterdt, E., Liersch, S., & Walter, U. (2014). Correlates of physical activity of children and adolescents: A systematic review of reviews. Health Education Journal, 73(1), 72-89. https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896912469578
Tandon, P. S., Saelens, B. E., & Copeland, K. A. (2017). A comparison of parent and childcare provider's attitudes and perceptions about preschoolers' physical activity and outdoor time. Child: care, health and development, 43(5), 679-686. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12429
Temneanu, O. R., Trandafir, L. M., & Purcarea, M. R. (2016). Type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents: a relatively new clinical problem within pediatric practice. Journal of Medicine and Life, 9(3), 235-239. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5154306/
Terrón-Pérez, M., Molina-García, J., Martínez-Bello, V. E., & Queralt, A. (2021). Relationship between the physical environment and physical activity levels in preschool children: a systematic review. Current Environmental Health Reports, 8(2), 177-195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-021-00318-4
Thompson, J. L., Jago, R., Brockman, R., Cartwright, K., Page, A. S., & Fox, K. R. (2010). Physically active families–de‐bunking the myth? A qualitative study of family participation in physical activity. Child: Care, Health and Development, 36(2), 265-274. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.01051.x
Tran, G., Kerr, E., Kelly, B., Ryan, S. T., Norman, J., Hammersley, M., ... & Okely, A. (2025). Nutrition and physical activity practices in family day care: A cross‐sectional survey of Australian family day care educators. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 36(1), e913. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hpja.913
Tremblay, M. S., Gray, C. E., Akinroye, K., Harrington, D. M., Katzmarzyk, P. T., Lambert, … & Tomkinson, G. (2014). Physical activity of children: a global matrix of grades comparing 15 countries. Journal of physical activity and health, 11(s1), S113-S125. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2014-0177
Uijtdewilligen, L., Brown, H. E., Müller‐Riemenschneider, F., Lim, Y. W., Brage, S., & Van Sluijs, E. M. (2017). A systematic review of methods to measure family co‐participation in physical activity. Obesity Reviews, 18(12), 1454-1472. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12589
Vale, S., Ricardo, N., Soares‐Miranda, L., Santos, R., Moreira, C., & Mota, J. (2014). Parental education and physical activity in pre‐school children. Child: Care, Health and Development, 40(3), 446-452. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12041
Vorlíček, M., Dygrýn, J., Janda, D., Voráčová, J., Duncan, S., Sigmund, E., & Sigmundová, D. (2025). Raising active children: how family and school shape health-promoting physical activity—findings from the FAMIPASS study. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7, 1530398. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1530398
Vrijkotte, T. G., Varkevisser, T. M., van Schalkwijk, D. B., & Hartman, M. A. (2020). Maternal underestimation of Child’s weight at pre-school age and weight development between age 5 and 12 years: the ABCD-study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(14), 5197. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17145197
Warnecke, R. B., Johnson, T. P., Chávez, N., Sudman, S., O'rourke, D. P., Lacey, L. i Horm, J. (1997). Improving question wording in surveys of culturally diverse populations. Annals of Epidemiology, 7(5), 334-342. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1047-2797(97)00030-6
World Health Organization (WHO) (2019). Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age: summary. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/325147/WHO-NMH-PND-2019.4-eng.pdf
World Health Organization (WHO) (2020). The WHO Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/336656/9789240015128-eng.pdf?sequence=1
Xu, H., Wen, L. M., & Rissel, C. (2015). Associations of parental influences with physical activity and screen time among young children: a systematic review. Journal of Obesity, 2015(1), 546925. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/546925
Yoong, S. L., Lum, M., Jones, J., Kerr, E., Falkiner, M., Delaney, T., ... & Grady, A. (2020). A systematic review of interventions to improve the dietary intake, physical activity and weight status of children attending family day care services. Public Health Nutrition, 23(12), 2211-2220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1368980019005275
Zeng, N., Ayyub, M., Sun, H., Wen, X., Xiang, P., & Gao, Z. (2017). Effects of physical activity on motor skills and cognitive development in early childhood: a systematic review. BioMed research international, 2017(1), 2760716.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Vesna Brumnić, Sanja Šalaj, Rado Pišot
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Open Access Policy and Copyright
This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license (CC BY) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors grant the publisher commercial rights to produce hardcopy volumes of the journal for sale to libraries and individuals.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal’s published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
