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Table 1 Adjusted mean percent of moderate and vigorous physical activity (as a function of total accelerometer wear time) by center-level predictor variables in linear mixed models

From: Environmental factors associated with physical activity in childcare centers

Predictor Variable

Description

N

Adjusted Mean Percent of MVPA (SE)

Physical Characteristics

Suitability of indoor playspace

Quiet play

6

12.0 (0.9)*

Limited movement

23

13.6 (0.5)

All activities

5

14.9 (1.0)

(referent category)

  

Posters, books, pictures of PA in class

Yes

18

14.8 (0.7)+

No

17

13.0 (0.7)

Classroom area (upper quartile split)

<1248 ft2

26

13.5 (0.6)

≥1248 ft2

8

15.0 (1.0)

Playground area (upper quartile split)

<5436 ft2

25

13.7 (0.6)

≥5436 ft2

10

14.3 (0.9)

Fixed equipment (median split)

<10

15

13.3 (0.7)

≥10

19

14.5 (0.7)

Portable equipment (median split)

<21

16

14.5 (0.7)

≥21

18

13.5 (0.7)

Sedentary equipment (median split)

<9

18

14.4 (0.7)

≥9

16

13.5 (0.7)

Drinking water available outdoors

Yes

9

14.7 (0.6)

No

26

13.6 (1.0)

Practices

Duration of outdoor play

<60 minutes

27

13.4 (0.5)*

≥60 minutes

8

15.8 (1.0)

Num. of children on playground (median split)

<16

16

14.4 (0.7)

≥16

19

13.4 (0.7)

Teacher-led outdoor PA

Yes

22

13.3 (0.8)

No

13

14.2 (0.6)

Staff participation in indoor play

Yes

17

13.3 (0.7)*

No

7

16.2 (1.1)

Staff participation in outdoor play

Yes

15

13.3 (0.7)

No

20

14.3 (0.6)

Staff encouragement of PA in indoor play

Yes

12

15.3 (0.8)*

No

12

12.9 (0.8)

Staff encouragement of PA in outdoor play

Yes

12

13.5 (0.8)

No

23

14.1 (0.6)

Computer availability (to children) per observation day

≤15 minutes

22

14.5 (0.6)

(including no

  

computer)

  

>15 minutes

13

12.9 (0.8)

PA curriculum

Yes

13

13.3 (0.8)

No

22

14.2 (0.6)

Other

Median household income of preschool block group1

Continuous (dollars)

 

Coeff = .003651 (.001515)*

NAEYC2

Yes

20

13.8 (0.6))

No

15

14.0 (0.8)

Head Start2

Yes

18

13.4 (0.7)

No

17

14.4 (0.7)

  1. Estimated marginal means, controlling for gender, age, and BMI percentile. Variables collected during on-site observation unless otherwise noted.
  2. 1 U.S. Census Bureau.
  3. 2 Interview.
  4. * p < 0.05.
  5. + borderline significant (p = 0.064).