Funding outcome

It is essential for preschoolers (aged 3-4 years) to enjoy regular physical activity and minimal sedentary behaviour to achieve healthy development. Outdoor play is one of the most feasible and effective ways to help preschoolers move more, sit less, and play longer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor play following public health measures helps preschoolers stay healthy but still get active. Identifying ways to promote outdoor play in preschoolers is therefore important for advancing their lifelong health. For study 1, I will establish measurement methods to accurately assess outdoor play in preschoolers with two technologies (motion sensor and GPS). Since research on outdoor play at this age is in its infancy, to date little is known about how to accurately assess their outdoor play. For study 2, I will identify distinct profiles (e.g., high safety, low greenness, and activity-supportive policy) of multiple environmental factors related to preschoolers' outdoor play. Although previous research has examined how environmental factors are individually related to outdoor play, few studies have examined how these factors work in combination due to methodological challenges. I will address these challenges using advanced statistical techniques to identify the patterns of environmental factors. Findings of this work will guide researchers in adopting accurate methods to measure outdoor play at this age. Moreover, several environment profiles related to preschoolers' outdoor play, including the most ideal ones will be detected. This will help to change real-life environment to improve their outdoor play, which can be applicable to post-COVID-19 public health initiatives.