Physical Activity in 1-Year-Old Children Predicts Physical Activity Level at Age 3 Years Independent of Maternal Activity

OBJECTIVES: To assess the tracking of physical activity (PA) from 1 to 3 years of age, and to investigate associations between maternal prenatal and postpartum PA and sedentary behavior (SB) with child PA at age 1 and 3 years.

STUDY DESIGN: This longitudinal study included 129 mother-child dyads from the FitMum randomized controlled trial and 1- and 3-year follow-ups (FitBaby and FitKids). Maternal PA and SB were measured using a commercial activity tracker and the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire. Child PA was measured by accelerometry at ages 1 and 3 years. Associations were analyzed using linear regression and Spearman rank correlation.

RESULTS: Child PA at 1 year was associated with PA at 3 years (rho: 0.36, P = .014) as more PA at 1 year was associated with more PA at 3 years. Children's PA was lower in the 1-year-old children, with a mean daytime counts per minute of 2594 ± 1114, compared with 3836 ± 1305 in the 3-year-old children (P < .001). No associations were observed between maternal PA or SB during pregnancy or postpartum and child PA at age 1 and 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS: PA tracked from age 1 year to 3 years of age, suggesting that PA early in life is important. Maternal PA and SB during pregnancy and the postpartum year were not associated with child PA. These findings highlight early childhood as an important period for promoting PA.