Barriers and Facilitators for Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Among Toddlers and Preschoolers Living in Poverty: Insights From Primary Caregivers in Mexico

There is scarce evidence about factors associated with the practice of PA or movement among toddlers and preschoolers who live in low-income homes, where overcrowded conditions and unstimulating physical and social environments limit PA. In low-resource contexts, lack of time to interact with the child to promote PA, lack of safe spaces for children's PA, and lack of information about recommendations and benefits on childhood PA were reported among primary caregivers of children under 5 years. There are perceptions that physical inactivity is natural for girls, or that use of devices such as cell phones or tablets is considered safe indoors and seen as educational for the child's future among families living in poverty. Research and promotion about childhood PA requires socio-ecological interventions, especially in disadvantaged settings and specific populations (e.g., indigenous). Policies must consider the promotion of toddlers and preschoolers PA in their designs since this stage is likely to have a considerable impact on their future compared with adults.