Physical Activity of Preschool-aged Latino Children in Farmworker Families

Objective: To describe time spent in sedentary and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) by children in Latino farmworker families and delineate sources of variation in sedentary and MVPA. Method: Data were from motherchild dyads (N = 248) in Latino farmworker households in North Carolina. Physical activity was assessed using accelerometers; mothers described their children's characteristics and their physical and social environments. Results: Children spent 6.2 hours/day sedentary (Median= 369 minutes), and 6.0 minutes/day in MVPA. Children in Head Start spent more time sedentary, whereas children living where dogs roam freely were less sedentary. Children whose mothers limited screen time spent 2 more minutes in MVPA. Conclusions: Preschool-aged Latino children in farmworker families are sedentary, engaging in little MVPA.