Limited empirical evidence is available about preschoolers’ sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) patterns in Head Start programs, we explored (a) preschoolers’ SB and PA patterns (ranging from SB to light-moderate-vigorous physical activity [LMVPA]) and (b) their relationships with sociodemographic factors, weight status, and motor development. Participants included 216 preschoolers (M_age = 4.32 ± 0.63; girls 56.5%) from six Head Start centers in an urban area in the southwestern region of the United States, assessing Actical® activity monitor-based PA, weight status, and motor development. The findings revealed preschoolers who were female, Hispanic/Latinx, with an at risk weight level, and/or in the below average motor development group tended to engage in less MVPA/LMVPA and also had higher SB patterns while participating in the Head Start program (p < 0.05–0.001, d ranged from 0.23 to 0.62). Head Start stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, leaders, curriculum coordinators, health professionals, and teachers) need to acknowledge the PA and health disparities, and intervene in underserved preschoolers’ health-promoting behaviors.

关于启蒙计划中学龄前儿童久坐行为 (SB) 和体力活动 (PA) 模式的经验证据有限，我们探讨了 (a) 学龄前儿童的 SB 和 PA 模式（范围从 SB 到轻度-中度-剧烈体力活动 [LMVPA] ]）和（b）它们与社会人口因素、体重状况和运动发育的关系。参与者包括来自美国西南部城市地区六个启蒙中心的 216 名学龄前儿童（男性_年龄= 4.32 ± 0.63；女孩 56.5%），评估基于 Actical® 活动监测器的 PA、体重状况和运动发育。研究结果显示，女性、西班牙裔/拉丁裔、体重处于危险水平和/或运动发育水平低于平均水平的学龄前儿童往往参与较少的 MVPA/LMVPA，并且在参加 Head Start 计划时也有较高的 SB 模式（ p < 0.05–0.001， d范围为 0.23 至 0.62）。 Head Start 利益相关者（例如政策制定者、领导者、课程协调员、卫生专业人员和教师）需要承认 PA 和健康差异，并干预服务不足的学龄前儿童的健康促进行为。