Levels and correlates of objectively measured sedentary time in young children: SUNRISE pilot study results from 19 countries

Oral Presentation A8.8

Authors

  • Katharina E. Kariippanon University of Wollongong
  • Kar Hau Chong University of Wollongong
  • Xanne Janssen University of Strathclyde
  • Simone Tomaz University of Glasgow
  • Evelyn Ribeiro Universidade de São Paulo
  • Nyaradzai Munambah University of Zimbabwe
  • Anthony Okely University of Wollongong

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.411

Keywords:

Sedentary Behaviour, Early Years, Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Accelerometry

Abstract

Background: There is a paucity of data from low- and middle-income countries on sedentary behaviour (SB) patterns during early childhood. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how device-measured SB in young children differed across geographically, economically, and socio-demographically diverse populations, in an international sample. Methods: This multinational, cross-sectional pilot study included data from 1071 children from 19 countries, collected between 2018 and 2020. SB was measured for three consecutive days using activPAL accelerometers. Sedentary time, sedentary fragmentation, and seated transport duration were calculated using PAL Analysis Algorithms and a custom-made analysis program. Linear mixed models were used to examine the differences in SB variables between sex, country-level income groups, caregiver education levels, urban/rural location, and population density. Results: Children spent 56% (7.4 hrs) of their waking time sedentary, and 42% accrued at least one sedentary bout/day lasting ≥60 min. The longest average bout duration was 81.1±45.4 min, and an average of 61.1±50.1 min/day was spent in seated transport. Children from upper-middle-income and high-income countries spent a greater proportion of the day sedentary, accrued more sedentary bouts, had shorter breaks between sedentary bouts, and spent significantly more time in seated transport, than children from low- and lower-middle-income countries. Few differences were found in SB patterns when comparing between urban/rural settings and caregiver education levels within each country-level income group, while multiple significant differences were found when comparing between country-level income groups. Higher population density was correlated with several higher SB measures. Conclusions: These data provide greater understanding of young children's SB patterns globally and the influences of country income urban/rural setting, caregiver education levels, and population density. Country income levels and population density appear to be stronger drivers of the observed differences than sex, rural or urban residential setting, or caregiver educational attainment. Funding: The SUNRISE pilot studies were supported by Early Start, University of Wollongong.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Kariippanon, K. E., Chong, K. H., Janssen, X., Tomaz, . S., Ribeiro, E., Munambah, N. ., & Okely, A. (2021). Levels and correlates of objectively measured sedentary time in young children: SUNRISE pilot study results from 19 countries: Oral Presentation A8.8. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.411