Community participation, physical activity, and quality of life for children born very preterm

Abstract

Children who are born early or very preterm (<32 weeks' gestation) are at greater risk of a range of health and developmental challenges compared with children born at term (≥37 weeks' gestation). Finding ways to support children born preterm to live healthy, active lifestyles is needed. Participation in community-based activities, such as community events, organized physical activities, and social gatherings, may be one way of supporting children to be more physically active and improve their quality of life.

In this study, we wanted to explore two questions. First, does the community environment (including physical demands of activities, community attitudes, policies, and access to transport and information) affect physical activity or quality of life for preschool-age children born preterm and at term? Second, is there a relationship between children's attendance and involvement in activities in their local community, and their physical activity and quality of life?

This study included 45 children born before 30 weeks' gestation and 89 children born at term, aged 4 to 5 years. Parents completed the Young Children's Participation and Environment Measure, to measure community participation, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 to measure quality of life. Children were asked to wear an accelerometer (activity monitor) on their ankle for 7 days to measure physical activity.