“On cold and cloudy days, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity decreased by approximately 15 minutes per day.”
Study Links Weather to Preschoolers’ Activity Levels
A study published in Environmental Research on June 2, 2026, has identified a correlation between daily weather conditions and the physical activity levels of preschool-aged children. The research analyzed data from over 3,300 children aged three to five in the Stockholm area.
Methodology and Data Collection
- Physical activity was measured using accelerometers worn on the children's wrists.
- Daily weather data was obtained from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI).
- Days were grouped into distinct "weather profiles" (e.g., sunny and warm, cold and cloudy) rather than analyzing temperature, rain, and sunshine as separate variables.
Key Findings
- Children were most active on sunny and warm days.
- On cold and cloudy days, compared to sunny days:
- Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity decreased by approximately 15 minutes per day.
- Light physical activity decreased by approximately 32 minutes per day.
- Sedentary time increased by nearly 47 minutes per day.
- Rainy and cloudy days were also associated with less physical activity and more sedentary behavior, though the differences were smaller than on cold and cloudy days.
- The associations between weather and activity were similar for both girls and boys.
- The effects of weather were more pronounced on weekends than on weekdays.
Researcher Statements
“Weather is a factor that should be considered when examining children's physical activity habits.”
Pablo Campos-Garzón, the lead author and a researcher at the Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, stated that the results suggest a need for opportunities for active play even during less favorable weather conditions. He noted that the study cannot determine the exact reasons for the reduced activity, but that young children depend on adults for activity opportunities, and that adult perceptions of weather may influence children's activity levels.
Funding and Conflicts of Interest
The study was funded by Region Stockholm, the Swedish Cancer Society, and the Swedish Research Council for Sport Science. The researchers declared no conflicts of interest.