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The purpose of this study is describe the initial feasibility, reliability, and validity of an instrument to measure physical activity in preschoolers using direct observation. The System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time for Preschoolers was developed and tested among 3- to 6-year-old children over fall 2008 for feasibility and reliability (Phase I, n = 67) and in fall 2009 for concurrent validity (Phase II, n = 27). Phase I showed that preschoolers spent >75% of their active time at preschool in light physical activity. The mean inter-observer agreements scores were ≥.75 for physical activity level and type. Correlation coefficients, measuring construct validity between the lesson context and physical activity types with and with the activity levels, were moderately strong. Phase II showed moderately strong correlations ranging from .50 to .54 between the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time for Preschoolers and Actigraph accelerometers for physical activity levels. The System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time for Preschoolers shows promising initial results as a new method for measuring physical activity among preschoolers.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge the HCDE Head Start director, Ms. Venetia Peacock, the Health Services Manager, Ms. Gulshan Rahman, and the participating center teachers and managers. The authors would also like to thank Dr. Ann Marie Hedberg, Ms. Tamara Lewis, and Ms. Peggy Murray for their assistance with the study. Finally, the authors would like to acknowledge the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living for providing administrative assistance with the study.