• Benny Kai Guo Loo, Dinesh Sirisena, Falk Müller-Riemenschneider, Michael Yong Hwa Chia, Benedict Tan, Ngiap Chuan Tan, Oon Hoe Teoh, Ethel Jie Kai Lim, Mohammad Ashik Zainuddin, Joanne Shumin Gao, Poh Chong Chan, Teresa Shu Zhen Tan, Nirmal Kavalloor Visruthan, Victor Samuel Rajadurai, Moira Suyin Chia, Nur Adila Binte Ahmad Hatib, Shirong Cai, Ju Lynn Ong, June Chi Yan Lo, Mary Foong-Fong Chong, Le Ye Lee, Elaine Chu Shan Chew, Ratnaporn Siriamornsarp, Miriam Lee, Aaron Sim, Chui Mae Wong, Shelly-Anne Sherwood, Siao Hui Toh, Phaik Ling Quah, Kee Chong Ng, Kok Hian Tan, and Yung Seng Lee.
• Sport & Exercise Medicine Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
• Ann Acad Med Singap. 2023 Jun 27; 52 (6): 310320310-320.

IntroductionEarly childhood is a critical period for growth and development. Adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours during this period forms the foundation for future well-being and offers the best protection against non-communicable diseases. Singapore studies have shown that many young children are not achieving the recommendations on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. A workgroup was set up to develop recommendations for caregivers of infants, toddlers and preschoolers (aged <7 years) on how to integrate beneficial activities within a daily 24-hour period for optimal development and metabolic health.MethodThe Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE)- ADOLOPMENT approach was employed for adoption, adaption or de novo development of recommendations. International and national guidelines were used as references, and an update of the literature reviews up to September 2021 was conducted through an electronic search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases.ResultsFour consensus statements were developed for each age group: infants, toddlers and preschoolers. The statements focus on achieving good metabolic health through regular physical activity, limiting sedentary behaviour, achieving adequate sleep and positive eating habits. The 13th consensus statement recognises that integration of these activities within a 24-hour period can help obtain the best results.ConclusionThis set of recommendations guides and encourages caregivers of Singapore infants, toddlers and preschoolers to adopt beneficial lifestyle activities within each 24-hour period.

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