Abstract
BackgroundAn increase of sedentary behaviors far from the Mediterranean lifestyle is happening in spite of the impact on health. The aims of this study were to describe sedentary behaviors in children and adolescents.MethodsA representative sample of 424 Spanish children and adolescents (38% females) involved in the ANIBES study was analyzed regarding their sedentary behaviors, together with the availability of televisions, computers, and consoles by means of the HELENA sedentary behavior questionnaire.ResultsFor the total sample of children, 49.3% during weekdays and 84% during weekends did not meet the recommendation of less than 2 hours of screen viewing per day. The use of TV was higher during weekdays (p < 0.05) and there were significant differences between adolescents and children (16.9 vs. 25.1%, p < 0.05). The use of computer, console games and of internet for non-study reasons was higher during weekends (p < 0.001). Adolescents played more computer games and used more internet for non-study reasons than children during both weekdays and weekends (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). The use of internet for academic reasons was lower in children (p < 0.001) than adolescents during weekends; however, no significant differences were found between sexes. In addition, more than 30% of the children and adolescents had at least one electronic device in their bedrooms.ConclusionsSpanish children and adolescents are not meeting the recommendations regarding the maximum of screen viewing (<2 h/day), especially during the weekend, for all of sedentary behaviors. Urgent strategies and intervention studies are needed to reduce sedentary behavior in young people.
Highlights
An increase of sedentary behaviors far from the Mediterranean lifestyle is happening in spite of the impact on health
TV viewing The use of TV was higher on weekend days than on weekdays (p < 0.001) regardless of age and sex. 57.7% of children and 59.8% of adolescents watched TV for more than 2 h on weekend days
A higher percentage of adolescents watched TV for >2 h/day compared to children (25.1 vs 16.9%, p < 0.05), while on weekdays, no age difference was observed in both sex groups
Summary
An increase of sedentary behaviors far from the Mediterranean lifestyle is happening in spite of the impact on health. Sedentary lifestyle is of increasing concern around for decades in European countries and worldwide [1]. In adults, it has been identified as an independent risk factor for chronic diseases [2]. Results from crosssectional studies indicate that young people who are even slightly sedentary may have greater fat mass, higher BMI, and increased risk of being overweight or obese, Mielgo-Ayuso et al BMC Public Health (2017) 17:94 there is not enough data available to draw conclusions on this issue, if children and adolescents are sedentary but active at the same time [16]. Apart from meeting PA guidelines, reducing sedentary behavior has become an additional goal in public health [10], even if the above-mentioned controversy exists
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