Structured-Unstructured Activity Behaviours on Young Children's Mental and Physical Health: A Compositional and Isotemporal Reallocation Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of time reallocation between structured and unstructured activities on young children's mental and physical health. Methods 324 children aged 3–6 years who volunteered to participate. Video observation combined with the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) is used to classify structured and unstructured activity types. An accelerometer sensor ActiGraph GT3X-BT worn on the right iliac was used to measure activity intensity. The mental indicators of young children were collected using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and physical indicators such as Physical Shape and Physical Fitness were measured. The component data and isotemporal substitution analyses were also conducted with the help of R Studio (Version 4.2). Results Internalizing difficulties were significantly improved in young children using 10-minute structured moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or unstructured MVPA isotemporal substitution structured low-intensity physical activity (LPA), sedentary behaviour, with the effectiveness increasing as the substitution time lengthens. and the effect size increases with substitution time. physical shape was significantly improved in young children using 10-minute structured MVPA isotemporal substitution. Conclusion Increasing structured MVPA can improve young children's emotional symptoms and physical morphology, and increasing the proportion of MVPA in structured activities has higher health benefits.