Preschool Timeline for Overweight and Obesity Behaviors

Evidence suggests a decrease in sleep duration across all age groups over the past 20 years. Preschoolers should sleep between 11-13 hours each night. Naps should cease by 5 years old.

​80% of 2-4 year olds have used a mobile device for any media activity.

​For each 1 hour increase in TV viewing 3 year-olds had increased intake of sweetened beverages, fast food, red and processed meat, and percent energy from trans-fat.

Increased TV time is associated with lower fruit and vegetable consumption.

​73% of 2- to 4-year-olds and 72% of 5- to 8-year-olds watch TV every day.

​37% of 2-to 4-year-olds have TVs in their bedroom.

​On average children are exposed to approximately 5,400 advertisements annually for food/beverages⁸ Estimates indicate that the food and beverage industry spend $1.6 billion per year to market products to children through TV, internet, radio, video games, text messages, and in-store packaging.

​Oral health screening/preventative visit is recommended between month 12-24 (opportunity to discuss transition to drinking with a cup and promote water and milk consumption). Note poor oral health and obesity share a cluster of risk factors. Children presenting with poor oral health should receive healthy active living guidance as well.

​Children under age 5 fail to meet physical activity guidelines³ Preschoolers need at least 60 minutes of structured activity and at least 60 minutes of unstructured activity (probably closer to 3 hours)⁴ Outdoor play in this age group naturally yields more physical activity.

Children and adolescents today derive 10% to 15% of total calories from sugar-sweetened beverages and 100% fruit juice.

On a given day, approximately 50% of U.S. 3-year-olds consume sweetened beverages, and 75% consume desserts or candies.

On a given day, approximately 50% of U.S. 3-year-olds consume sweetened beverages, and 75% consume desserts or candies.

School readiness is an area to explore in terms of physical activity and appropriate motor development as well proper nutrition.

​50% of all children ages 0 to 8 have used mobile apps.

45% of children have daily to weekly access to mobile devices (smart phone, video iPod, iPad or similar device) to play games, watch videos, or us other apps.

​On average children are exposed to approximately 5,400 advertisements annually for food/beverages (8) Estimates indicate that the food and beverage industry spend $1.6 billion per year to market products to children through TV, internet, radio, video games, text messages, and in-store packaging.

​Children under age 5 fail to meet physical activity guidelines³ Preschoolers need at least 60 minutes of structured activity and at least 60 minutes of unstructured activity (probably closer to 3 hours)⁴ Outdoor play in this age group naturally yields more physical activity.

​Evidence suggests a decrease in sleep duration across all age groups over the past 20 years. Preschoolers should sleep between 11-13 hours each night. Naps should cease by 5 years old.

Toddlers and Preschoolers regularly eat breakfast but as children enter elementary school the number of children eating regular breakfast begins to decline.

​45% of children have daily to weekly access to mobile devices (smart phone, video iPod, iPad or similar device) to play games, watch videos, or us other apps.

​Children age 5-8 spend an average of 2 hours a day watching television.

​On average children are exposed to approximately 5,400 advertisements annually for food/beverages (8) Estimates indicate that the food and beverage industry spend $1.6 billion per year to market products to children through TV, internet, radio, video games, text messages, and in-store packaging.

​Children under age 5 fail to meet physical activity guidelines3 Preschoolers need at least 60 minutes of structured activity and at least 60 minutes of unstructured activity (probably closer to 3 hours)4 Outdoor play in this age group naturally yields more physical activity.

​Sugared beverages, dairy desserts, grain desserts, pizza and whole milk are the major contributors of empty calories.