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Relevance: Approximately 80% of adolescents worldwide do not meet recommendations for physical activity, raising health concerns. Influenced by family lifestyle and parenting, childhood habits originate and become habitual from birth onward, representing a protective or risk factor for healthy development. However, there is little compelling longitudinal evidence about behavioural persistence through to adolescence. Purpose of the study: Spanning over a decade, this population-based prospective-longitudinal birth cohort study examines associations between typical activities in toddlerhood and later active lifestyle. Research methods and sample: Participants are boys and girls born between 1997/1998 from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Linear regression analyses examined associations between parent-reported daily movement behaviours (active leisure, screen time, and sleep) at age 2.5 years and parent-reported extracurricular sport participation trajectories from ages 6 to 10 years as well as self-reported indicators of an active lifestyle (outdoor play and leisure physical activity level) at age 12 years, while adjusting for pre-existing individual and family factors. Main results: Adjusted results revealed associations between distinct movement behaviours and future active lifestyle indicators for boys and girls. For boys, regulated screen time was associated with greater chances of consistently participating in sport (B = 0.10, p <0.05), even after accounting for adherence to other lifestyle features. Combined daily movement behaviours in early childhood predicted more subsequent time spent playing outdoors for boys (B = 0.15, p <0.001) and girls (B = 0.11, p < 0.01) as well as higher levels of leisure physical activity for girls (B = 0.13, p < 0.001) a decade later. Conclusion: Early family participation in active leisure with toddlers and limitations on screen use forecasted more active lifestyle habits up to early adolescence. Parental awareness and monitoring of movement guidelines foster healthy growth and development trajectories, thus promoting long-term wellness.

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