Regional sociocultural differences as important correlate of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Swiss preschool children.

Cs Leeger-Aschmann,Og Jenni,K Stülb,Ae Zysset,Th Kakebeeke,Jj Puder,S Munsch,N Messerli-Bürgy,A Arhab,S Kriemler,Ea Schmutz,T Radtke,Ah Meyer

doi:10.4414/smw.2016.14377

Abstract

Regional differences in physical activity in school-aged children and adults even within one country with the same political and health care system have been observed and could not be explained by sociodemographic or individual variables. We analysed whether such differences were already present in preschool children. Swiss children from 84 childcare centres in five cantons (Aargau, Bern, Fribourg, Vaud, Zurich) comprising about 50% of the population of the country participated. Physical activity was quantified with accelerometers (ActiGraph, wGT3X-BT) and potential correlates were assessed with measurements at the childcare centre or questionnaires. Mixed regression models were used to test associations between potential correlates of total physical activity (TPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA) or sedentary behaviour with a special focus on regional differences. 394 of 476 children (83%) provided valid physical activity data (at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day with 10 h recording; mean age 3.9 ± 0.7 years, 54% boys) with 26% and 74% living in the French- and German-speaking parts of Switzerland, respectively. Days consisted of (mean ± standard deviation) 1.5 ± 0.5 h MVPA, 5.0 ± 0.6 h LPA, and 6.3 ± 0.8 h sedentary behaviour with an average of 624 ± 150 counts/min TPA. TPA and MVPA (but not sedentary behaviour or LPA) increased with age, were higher in boys and children with better motor skills. Despite controlling for individual characteristics, familial factors and childcare exposure, children from the French-speaking part of Switzerland showed 13% less TPA, 14% less MVPA, 6% less LPA and 8% more sedentary behaviour than German-speaking children. Beside motor skills and non-modifiable individual factors, the regional sociocultural difference was the most important correlate of phyical activity and sedentary behaviour. Therefore, regionally adapted public health strategies may be needed.

Highlights

Physical activity is fundamental for adequate development of children and important for their general health
The epoch length of the valid days was integrated from 3 to 15 sec and data were expressed as total physical activity (TPA; counts/min) and as time spent in sedentary behaviour, or light or moderate-tovigorous physical activity (LPA and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA); min/day) according to validated cut-points [16] and most recent recommendations [17]
The additional correlates with an association with physical activity or sedentary behaviour included age, sex, season

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity is fundamental for adequate development of children and important for their general health. Physical activity promotes motor skills, prevents obesity, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, enhances bone density and improves psychosocial health [1,2,3,4]. Understanding children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour provides the foundation for evidence-based planning of interventions. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour are highly complex behavioural patterns, which have innumerable influencing factors. There may be a variety of reasons such as climate or cohort effects that can explain differences in physical activity between countries, cultural differences may play a crucial role [7, 8]

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