Activity preferences and demographic factors associated with screen time sedentary behaviour among grade 1 to 4 students: A pilot study among Canadian children

Abstract

Sedentary behavior is a modificable risk factor contributing to childhood overweight and obesity. The current study seeks to explore if a) significant between-school random variation and b) activity preferences and demographic characteristics are associated with spending >2 hours/day in screen-based sedentary behavior (SSB) among young children. Data were collected from 2331 grade 1 to 4 elementary school students from Ontario, Canada as part of the PLAY-ON study. Parents reported student's physical activity and SSB, as well as their perceptions of their child's physical activity preferences. Demographic data (age, sex, BMI) were collected by a registered nurse. Students also reported their activity preferences. There was no significant between-school random variation in the odds of a student engaging