Abstract
BackgroundMuch attention has been paid to adolescents' screen time, however very few studies have examined non-screen sedentary time (NSST). This study aimed to (1) describe the magnitude and composition of screen sedentary time (SST) and NSST in Australian adolescents, (2) describe the socio-demographic correlates of SST and NSST, and (3) determine whether screen time is an adequate surrogate for total sedentary behaviour in this population.Methods2200 9-16 year old Australians provided detailed use of time data for four days. Non-screen sedentary time (NSST) included time spent participating in activities expected to elicit <3 METs whilst seated or lying down (other than sleeping), excluding screen-based activities (television, playing videogames or using computers). Total sedentary time was the sum of screen time and NSST.ResultsAdolescents spent a mean (SD) of 345 (105) minutes/day in NSST, which constituted 60% of total sedentary time. School activities contributed 42% of NSST, socialising 19%, self-care (mainly eating) 16%, and passive transport 15%. Screen time and NSST showed opposite patterns in relation to key socio-demographic characteristics, including sex, age, weight status, household income, parental education and day type. Because screen time was negatively correlated with NSST (r = -0.58), and exhibited a moderate correlation (r = 0.53) with total sedentary time, screen time was only a moderately effective surrogate for total sedentary time.ConclusionsTo capture a complete picture of young people's sedentary time, studies should endeavour to measure both screen time and NSST.
Highlights
Much attention has been paid to adolescents’ screen time, very few studies have examined non-screen sedentary time (NSST)
Many interventions are predicated on increasing physical activity and/or reducing sedentary behaviour as a means of improving energy balance [36,37]
Some studies have been successful in improving weight status by focusing on reducing SST [38]
Summary
Much attention has been paid to adolescents’ screen time, very few studies have examined non-screen sedentary time (NSST). This study aimed to (1) describe the magnitude and composition of screen sedentary time (SST) and NSST in Australian adolescents, (2) describe the socio-demographic correlates of SST and NSST, and (3) determine whether screen time is an adequate surrogate for total sedentary behaviour in this population. Screen sedentary time (SST) – and time spent watching television – is used as a surrogate for sedentary behaviours in general [3,4]. Screen time is relatively discrete, identified, and cheap to measure (in comparison to physical activity which is often measured using relatively expensive instruments such as accelerometers and doubly labeled water). These advantages make it a costeffective and clear target for surveying, monitoring and parental regulation. SST is seen largely as discretionary time, a “time buffer” which exhibits considerable elasticity to competing demands, and is a good target for behavioural interventions
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