BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Though daily physical activity is essential for young children, the amount of active playtime kids get while at day care varies widely and many kids are not getting enough.

To find out why, a recent study conducted at Cincinnati Children's Hospital talked with child care providers at 34 day care centers and they discovered an unexpected barrier to kids' playtime: their clothing.

Care providers reported that many kids were often sent to their center in things that made it hard for them to run and play, such as flip flops, tight clothing, no coat or gloves in the winter, or nice clothing that the parents had told the child not to get dirty.

Centers noted that improper clothing affects the whole day care group because just one child without a jacket could mean the entire group has to stay inside.

Researchers said that centers should have clear policies on appropriate day care clothing and remind parents that, even in the rush of their morning routine, it was important to make sure their kids were dressed in playtime clothing.