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BMC Pediatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Public Health | Research article

High sedentary time in children is not only due to screen media use: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Belinda Hoffmann, Susanne Kobel, Olivia Wartha, Sarah Kettner, Jens Dreyhaupt, Jürgen M. Steinacker

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Sedentary behaviour has become a growing public health concern. Currently, it is a common belief that screen time (SCT) is a key factor in high overall sedentary time (ST) and is often used as a primary outcome. However, the evidence is lacking. Therefore, this study investigated the association of objectively assessed total ST with SCT among children. Further, SCT was investigated separately for sedentary level, weight status, gender, and migration background.

Methods

For 198 primary school children (7.1 ± 0.7 years, boys: 43.9%) ST was assessed objectively using a multi-sensor device (Actiheart®; CamNtech, Cambridge, UK). The sample was split into three groups (tertiles) to investigate SCT of children with low, medium and high ST. SCT and socio-demographic parameters, such as migration background, were assessed using a parental questionnaire; anthropometric data was collected at schools.

Results

Absolut SCT did not differ significantly among the three sedentary groups: Daily average of SCT was 83.8 ± 55.0 min (27.4% of ST) for children with high ST, 82.8 ± 50.5 min (39.8% of ST) for children with medium ST, and 77.2 ± 59.4 min (71.3% of ST) for those with low ST. However, relatively the SCT percentage of total ST was significantly higher among children with low ST (p < 0.01). Significantly higher SCT was found in children with migration background (p < 0.01), while underweight children had significantly less SCT (p < 0.05). An association of total SCT and overall ST was found for the whole sample (B = 17.11, [2.75; 31.48], p = 0.02), but did not remain when analysis were separated for the groups, except for normal weight children (B = 15.97, [0.13; 31.81], p = 0.05).

Conclusions

The amount of SCT is the same among high, low and medium sedentary children, and high ST is largely independent of SCT. Therefore, SCT cannot be the key contributor to high ST and should not solely be used for predicting or changing children’s sedentary behaviour. Moreover, children’s weight status to classify activity levels and the role of possible compensation mechanisms should be considered in future research and when trying to intervene on ST.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS-ID: DRKS00000494 DATE: 25/08/2010.

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Title: High sedentary time in children is not only due to screen media use: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Belinda Hoffmann
Susanne Kobel
Olivia Wartha
Sarah Kettner
Jens Dreyhaupt
Jürgen M. Steinacker
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Public Health
Underweight
Underweight
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-019-1521-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

High sedentary time in children is not only due to screen media use: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

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