Abstract
An improved understanding of relationships between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen-time and lifestyle factors is imperative for developing interventions, yet few studies have explored such relationships simultaneously. Therefore, the study’s aim was to examine the relationship between sufficient MVPA (≥60 min·day–1) and excessive screen-time (≥2 h·day–1) with lifestyle factors in children. In total, 756 children (10.4 ± 0.6 years) completed a questionnaire, which assessed sleep duration, MVPA, homework/reading, screen-time and diet, and a 20 metre multi-stage shuttle run test to assess cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Body mass and stature were measured and used to calculate BMI (body mass index) for age/sex z-scores. Fruit and vegetable consumption and CRF were positively associated with sufficient MVPA, irrespective of sex (p < 0.05). Excessive screen-time was positively associated with sugary snack consumption in boys and girls, and diet soft drink intake in boys (p < 0.05). In addition, excessive screen-time was negatively associated with MVPA before school for both boys and girls, as well as with sleep duration and fruit and vegetable consumption for girls (p < 0.05). Sufficient MVPA and excessive screen-time were associated with healthy and unhealthy factors, respectively, with relationships sometimes differing by sex. Future health promoting interventions should consider targeting change in multiple lifestyle factors.
Highlights
Childhood obesity is a major public health concern [1], in Wales, which has the highest prevalence in the United Kingdom [2], and often tracks into adulthood [3]
Screen-time is associated with short sleep duration [25,26], less time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) [15,27], a poorer diet, such as lower fruit and vegetable consumption [28], greater intake of soft drinks [29] and unhealthful sugary snacks [30]
The CHAT questionnaire assessed time spent in MVPA, homework/reading and screen-time, as well as dietary habits, age and sleep duration
Summary
Childhood obesity is a major public health concern [1], in Wales, which has the highest prevalence in the United Kingdom [2], and often tracks into adulthood [3]. Regular physical activity [7], adequate consumption of fruit and vegetables [11] and sufficient sleep [9] are widely accepted as protective. Of these lifestyle factors, physical activity and sedentary time have been identified as the most strongly associated with obesity and health [12,13]. As well as being shown to have a robust relationship with obesity, regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is considered to be a preventative measure for poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and several other health risk factors in children [7]. Even children meeting the PA guidelines [23] spend a large proportion of their discretionary time in sedentary behaviours (up to 9 h daily) [10]
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