Physical Activity and Screen-Time Viewing Among Elementary School–Aged Children in the United States From 2009 to 2010 Physical Activity and Screen-Time Viewing

Fakhouri TI, Hughes JP, Brody DJ, et al. — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Objectives

To describe the percentage of children who met physical activity and screen-time recommendations and to examine demographic differences. Recommendations for school-aged children include 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and no more than 2 hours per day of screen-time viewing.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a representative sample of the US population.

Participants

Analysis included 1218 children 6 to 11 years of age.

Main Exposures

Age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, family structure, and obesity status.

Main Outcome Measures

Proxy-reported adherence to physical activity and screen-time recommendations, separately and concurrently.

Results

Based on proxy reports, overall, 70% of children met physical activity recommendations, and 54% met screen-time viewing recommendations. Although Hispanics were less likely to meet physical activity recommendations (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.60 [95% CI, 0.38-0.95]), they were more likely to meet screen-time recommendations compared with non-Hispanic whites (aOR, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.18-2.43]). Only 38% met both recommendations concurrently. Age (9-11 years vs 6-8 years: aOR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.38-0.85]) and obesity (aOR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.38-0.73]) were inversely associated with concurrent adherence to both recommendations.

Conclusions

Fewer than 4 in 10 children met both physical activity and screen-time recommendations concurrently. The prevalence of sedentary behavior was higher in older children. Low levels of screen-time viewing may not necessarily predict higher levels of physical activity.

JAMA Pediatrics: Media and Children Topic Collection

Physical Activity and Screen-Time Viewing Among Elementary School–Aged Children in the United States From 2009 to 2010 Physical Activity and Screen-Time Viewing