Behavioral assessment of physical activity preferences of young children

<p>Low levels of physical activity are correlated with negative health outcomes such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. This is concerning given the current rise in obesity and physical inactivity, especially in young children. Developing assessments that can readily identify variables related to unhealthy patterns of activity might be useful in informing interventions that aim to increase physical activity. The current study extended previous research in the functional analysis of physical activity by Hustyi, Normand, and Larson (2012) by evaluating the utility of a choice assessment procedure to identify participant preference to several common outdoor activity contexts, typically available during school recess. Together, the two assessments strategies were able to identify both healthy and less healthy patterns of responding in four preschool-age children. The information obtained from these assessments could be used to inform behavioral interventions that aim to increase physical activity in young children.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Miller, Bryon G.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Matthew Normand

• Behavioral psychology
• Psychology
• Choice
• Functional analysis
• Obesity
• Osrac
• Physical activity
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Psychiatry and Psychology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Licence

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Identifier

9781303678042

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarlycommons.pacific.edu:uop_etds-1292