Evaluation of Physical Activity, Sedentary Patterns, and Lifestyle Behavior in Spanish Preschool Children from the CORALS Cohort

Abstract

Background Physical activity (PA) and sedentary lifestyle are recognized as modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Healthy habits in early childhood tend to persist throughout life. This study aims to evaluate the physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns in a cohort of Spanish preschool children using device-based measures, and compare these patterns by sex. This study analyzed a sample of 643 preschoolers aged 3–6 years with valid accelerometry data from the Childhood Obesity Risk Assessment Longitudinal Study (CORALS) cohort (NCT06317883; May 30, 2024). Results 67% of preschoolers met the international PA recommendations, with 72.1 min of moderate-vigorous PA(MVPA) per day. Boys exhibited higher levels of MVPA than girls, and MVPA increased with age in both groups. Sedentary time was higher on weekends, and boys spent more time watching TV than girls. Involvement in extracurricular sports was reported by 67.5% of children, with boys showing a greater engagement in outdoor activities. Conclusions A relevant proportion of Spanish preschool children meet the international PA recommendations, with variations based on sex, age, and day of the week, reflecting global trends at this stage of life. Future interven‑ tions should address sex-specific preferences and age-related changes to enhance the effectiveness of promoting active lifestyles in this population.