Compliance with the 24-Hour movement guidelines for the early years: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations with executive function and psychosocial health in preschool children

Correlations between depressive symptoms, verbal working memory, and physical activity in university students: evidence based on resting EEG

BACKGROUND

Depressive symptoms are prevalent among university students and are closely correlated with verbal working memory. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that physical activity can mitigate depressive symptoms through multiple mechanisms. The objective of this study was to explore the correlations among depressive symptoms, verbal working memory, and physical activity in university students and to explore the potential correlations between these factors and EEG indicators.

METHODS

A case‒control study design was employed to enroll 136 university students, and convenience samples were used to collect 5-minute resting EEG data with their eyes closed. Physical activity was evaluated using the Physical Activity Scale-3, depressive symptoms were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the N-back task was used to measure the accuracy rate and reaction time of verbal working memory. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the correlation between the variables, the PROCESS macro in SPSS (Model 4) was applied to analyze the mediating role of verbal working memory in the correlation between physical activity and depressive symptoms, and the bootstrap method was used to calculate the mediating effect.

RESULTS

The results showed that the verbal working memory reaction time and physical activity scores of university students with depressive symptoms were significantly different from those of university students without depressive symptoms (P < 0.05), but no difference was found in the accuracy rate of verbal working memory (t = 0.580, P > 0.05). Physical activity was negatively correlated with depressive symptom scores (r=-369, P < 0.05) and with the reaction time of verbal working memory (r=-0.334, P < 0.05). Mediation analyses indicated that the verbal working memory reaction time partially mediated (β = -0.039, 95% CI = -0.096 to -0.001) the correlation between physical activity and depressive symptoms in university students. EEG indicators in the frontal regions of the brain, including beta2 power values for (FP1, FP2) and delta power values for (F3, F4) and (F7, F8), were negatively correlated with depressive symptom scores and verbal working memory reaction time and positively correlated with the level of physical activity (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in physical activity and VWM reaction time between university students with depressive symptoms and those without depressive symptoms. Three variables, depressive symptom scores, VWM, and physical activity, had mutually related EEG indicators, which may provide a useful addition to the clinical identification and targeting of interventions in the population with depressive symptoms. Verbal working memory partially mediated the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms, but the mediating path coefficient accounted for a low percentage.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Profile of the PLAY spaces & environments for children's physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep (PLAYCE) cohort study, Western Australia

BACKGROUND

Childhood is a critical period for the development of movement behaviours such as physical activity, sleep and sedentary behaviour. The PLAYCE Cohort was established to investigate how movement behaviours change over early to middle childhood, across key behaviour settings and relationships with health and development. An overview of the PLAYCE cohort, summary of key findings to date, and future research opportunities are presented.

METHODS

Children were recruited at 2-5 years of age (preschool; Wave 1) via early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and were followed up in junior primary school (5-7 years; Wave 2) at 8-10 years (Wave 3) and again at 11-13 years (Wave 4; in progress). Children's movement behaviours were measured via parent-report and accelerometry. Social-emotional development, motor development, weight status, diet, and child and family socio-demographics were parent-reported. Physical environmental features of children's key behaviour settings (home, neighbourhood, ECEC and school) were collected using geo-spatial and audit data.

RESULTS TO DATE

At wave 1 (2-5 years), only 8% of children met all three recommendations of the Australian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years. Meeting all recommendations (8%) was positively associated with boys social-emotional development. Physical environment features of the home yard (size, play equipment, natural features) were positively associated with preschool children's physical activity. Tree canopy and more portable play equipment in ECEC outdoor areas was also positively associated with children's outdoor time and physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Wave 4 (11-13 years) data collection will be completed in early 2026. Traditional longitudinal and compositional data analysis of the PLAYCE cohort will be undertaken. Four waves of data will provide detailed patterns of movement behaviours and their effect on child health and development as well as the environmental influences on children's movement behaviours across early to middle childhood. The findings can be used to inform national and international 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and behaviour setting-specific as well as population-level interventions to benefit child health and wellbeing across early to middle childhood.

Associations of 24-hour movement behaviors with emotional and behavioral problems among Chinese adolescents

PURPOSE

The role of adherence to the recommendations for 24-hour movement behaviors (24-HMB), including physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep duration (SLP), in relation to emotional and behavioral problems in Chinese adolescents remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate these associations and explore potential sex differences.

METHODS

This school-based cross-sectional study included 15,071 Chinese adolescents with a mean age of 14.53 (SD: 1.65) years. Data on emotional and behavioral problems and 24-HMB (including PA, ST, and SLP) were collected. Analysis was performed using general linear mixed models, with additional sex-stratified analyses conducted.

RESULTS

The number of 24-HMB recommendations met was negatively associated with total difficulties (β estimate=-0.96, 95% CI: -1.07 to -0.85) and positively related to prosocial behavior (β estimate = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.46) among adolescents. Compared with none of the recommendations met, meeting all recommendations (total difficulties: β estimate=-2.98, 95% CI: -3.41 to -2.55; prosocial behaviors: β estimate = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.87 to 1.24) demonstrated the strongest association with both difficulties and prosocial behaviors, followed by meeting recommendations for PA + ST (total difficulties: β estimate=-2.15, 95% CI: -2.41 to -1.90; prosocial behaviors: β estimate = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.09). These associations were consistently significant in both boys and girls.

CONCLUSION

Adherence to more 24-HMB recommendations, particularly meeting all recommendations or combined PA + ST recommendations, could improve emotional and behavioral well-being among adolescent girls and boys. The significance of balanced movement behaviors for promoting adolescent mental health merits increased attention.

24-hour movement behaviors and cognitive ability in preschool children: A compositional and isotemporal reallocation analysis

Research has supported the association between movement behaviors and cognitive ability in preschool children. However, most of the research has independently examined the various movement behaviors (e.g., physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep) without considering the dynamic composition of these behaviors in a 24-hour daily cycle. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between 24-hour movement behaviors and cognitive ability in preschool children. The participants were 191 Chinese preschool children from Zhuzhou aged 3-6 years. We measured light physical activity (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary behavior (SB) using the Actigraph Accelerometers and evaluated the children's sleep time based on reports from parents and teachers. The Chinese version of the Wechsler Young Children Scale of Intelligence (C-WYCSI) was used to assess cognitive ability. Compositional analysis and isotemporal substitution were performed to examine the influence of 24-hour movement behaviors on children's cognitive ability. After controlling for demographics (e.g., age and sex), the composition of 24-hour movement behaviors was significantly associated with the verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ), performance intelligence quotient (PIQ), and full intelligence quotient (FIQ). Importantly, preschool children demonstrated greater cognitive behavior when time in MVPA replaced that spent in LPA, SB, or sleep than when time spent in LPA, SB, and sleep replaced that spent in MVPA within the 24-hour cycle. Physical activity engaged in a 24-hour daily cycle has a significant effect on cognitive ability in preschool children, with increased MVPA and LPA being associated with higher PIQ and FIQ and increased sleep being associated with lower VIQ, PIQ, and FIQ. Replacing time in SB and LPA with MVPA is promising for children's cognitive development.

The association between 24-h movement behaviours and adiposity among Australian preschoolers: a compositional data analysis

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between 24-h movement behaviours (i.e. sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity) and adiposity in preschoolers remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the associations between 24-h movement behaviours and adiposity in preschoolers making use of compositional data analysis (CoDA).

METHODS

Australian preschoolers (3-5 years) from the Early Start Baseline Study wore an ActiGraph accelerometer to assess sedentary behaviour (SB), light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Their weight and height were measured using standardized protocols and converted to Body Mass Index (BMI) z-scores using the World Health Organisation growth references. Their parents completed a questionnaire to assess their level of education and the child's sleep duration, age and sex. CoDA was employed to investigate the association between 24-h movement behaviours and adiposity in R.

RESULTS

This study included 169 preschoolers and their overall 24-h movement behaviour composition was associated with BMI z-scores (F = 5.02, p = 0.002). When examining the association between each movement behaviour relative to the others and BMI z-scores, we observed a statistically significant favourable association for sleep (p = 0.025) and unfavourable association for MVPA (p = 0.010), but not for the other behaviours. As such, reallocating 10 min from sleep or from MVPA, proportionally to all other behaviours was associated with a difference of + 0.031 (95%CI = 0.004,0.06) and -0.085 (95%CI = -0.15,-0.02) in BMI z-score, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Despite the association between more time spent in MVPA and higher BMI z-scores, promoting a balanced amount of time in each 24-h movement behaviour-more MVPA, less sedentary time, and sufficient sleep-remains important for overall health. Future studies should address methodological challenges (e.g. recruitment bias that may exist in the parents/children willing to participate versus the general population, recall bias in parent reported sleep duration, or other confounding variables such as diet), use larger and more diverse samples, and consider longitudinal designs. Additionally, focusing on other adiposity indicators, such as waist-to-height ratio or fat percentage, could enhance understanding of these relationships.

Associations between meeting 24h movement behavior guidelines and cognition, gray matter volume, and academic performance in children and adolescents: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

24-h movement behaviors have a close relationship with children and adolescents' cognition, gray matter volume, and academic performance. This systematic review aims to precisely explore the associations between meeting different combinations of guidelines and the aforementioned indicators, in order to better serve public health policy.

METHODS

Computer retrieval was conducted on CNKI, Web of Science, PubMed, SPORT Discus and Cochrane library databases. The screening and data extraction processes were conducted by two researchers. This study used the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for methodological quality assessment and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system for the evaluation of the level of evidence. Descriptive statistical analysis is performed using frequency and percentage on the extracted data and key findings, primarily to assess the consistency of the positive benefits associated with meeting different guidelines and outcome variables.

RESULTS

A total of 10 studies were included (with 16 correlation analyses conducted), involving 51,566 children and adolescents aged between 4.2 and 15.9 years old. The included studies generally agreed upon the following associations: adherence to the screen time (ST) guidelines is positively linked to fluid intelligence; adherence to the sleep duration (SD) guidelines is positively linked to literacy; adherence to both ST and SD guidelines is associated with increased fluid intelligence and gray matter volume; and overall adherence to all guidelines is positively correlated with fluid intelligence. The included studies reported low certainty of evidence. Additionally, the included studies have provided clear evidence, but some studies did not strictly control confounding factors, and it is also unclear whether there is a larger effect size, hence the level of evidence is relatively low.

CONCLUSION

There are varying degrees of associations between different combinations of guidelines and cognition, gray matter volume, and academic performance, but further research is needed to confirm these findings, especially the relatively limited role of meeting physical activity guidelines.

Adherence to the 24-h Movement Behaviors Guidelines and Associations With Cognitive and Behavioral Self-Regulation Among Brazilian Preschoolers

BACKGROUND

Adherence to 24-h movement guidelines has been associated with early health benefits, including neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, the associations between these guidelines and Cognitive (CSR) and Behavioral (BSR) self-regulation in preschoolers are underexplored. This study investigated the associations between adherence to 24-h movement guidelines and CSR and BSR in Brazilian preschoolers.

METHODS

A total of 223 preschoolers (4.76 ± 0.32 years old; 50.67% boys) participated. Physical activity (PA) was assessed with Actigraph wGT3X. Parents reported children's sleep and screen time. CSR was evaluated through iPad games, and BSR was assessed using the Head, Toes, Knees, Shoulders test revised.

RESULTS

Boys showed higher adherence to the PA recommendation than girls (52.2% vs. 32.7%, χ2 = 0.003), whereas a higher percentage of girls did not adhere to any recommendations (23.6% vs. 12.4%, χ2 = 0.029). Positive association was found between adherence to combined PA and screen time with cognitive flexibility (β = 4.091 [95% CI: 0.699, 7.754]). Adherence to PA was associated with lower BSR scores (β = -7.104 [-13.52, -0.623]), as was adherence to combined PA and sleep duration (β = -8.813 [-15.794, -1.397]).

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted differences in adherence to movement behavior guidelines between boys and girls, as well as demonstrated that different combinations of these behaviors can affect preschoolers' cognitive and behavioral levels of self-regulation in distinct ways.

Evaluation of the association between excessive screen use, sleep patterns and behavioral and cognitive aspects in preschool population. A systematic review

In this review, we analyzed the possible relationship between the excessive use of screens and sleep patterns, and how this may affect certain behavioral and cognitive factors in preschool children. The selection, extraction and synthesis of the data were conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. The search was carried out in the electronic databases Medline (PubMed), PsycINFO (American Psychological Association), Scopus and Web of Science (WOS). Of the 597 articles initially identified, 13 met the inclusion criteria. The risk of bias of the articles selected was evaluated using a specific scale created for this purpose. The results found indicate that excessive use of screens is associated with a negative impact on the duration and quality of sleep-in preschoolers, and this worsening of sleep in infancy is related with a greater probability of the appearance of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems and certain cognitive problems. The results also suggest that sleep could play a mediating or moderating role as a bioregulatory system that attenuates or increases the onset of behavioral and cognitive difficulties in those children most exposed to digital devices.

Mapping the research using 24-h movement guidelines in children and adolescents: A bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND

There are limited comprehensive bibliometric analyses that have examined research articles using the 24-h movement guidelines, which are necessary to evaluate the impact of the research field, map the scientific structure of the research landscape, and identify knowledge gaps.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyse the published research articles using the 24-h movement guidelines and assess their bibliometric characteristics.

METHODS

The search was conducted across all databases indexed in the Web of Science on March 6, 2024, and the bibliometric characteristics of studies published from 2016 onwards were analysed. Descriptive statistics and visualisations by the VOSviewer were used for the presentation of bibliometric characteristics.

RESULTS

120 studies using the 24-h movement guidelines in children and adolescents were included for analysis in this study. In general, number of the related publications using the 24-h movement guidelines increased from 2016 until now. 16 distinct clusters of author networking were displayed, of which the Canadian team was the strongest cluster with the highest research impacts. Of the included studies, cross-sectional studies accounted for the majority. North America and Europe were the leading two study locations across the included studies. Highly varied adherence rate to the 24-h movement guidelines across the included studies were observed. In terms of correlates and health outcomes of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines, separately, sociodemographic and health functioning characteristics were the most examined aspects.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a comprehensive scientific overview for research using the 24-h movement guidelines in children and adolescents, which may help guide potential research directions to improve the low compliance rates in this population.

The Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations Between Adherence to 24-Hour Movement Behavior Guidelines and Bone Health in Young Children

BACKGROUND

Adherence to the World Health Organization's 24-hour movement behavior (24-HMB) guidelines is associated with various health outcomes. However, its relationship with bone mineral density (BMD) in young children has not been investigated. This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between adherence to the 24-HMB guidelines and BMD in young children.

METHODS

A total of 120 children aged 3-5 years were recruited from three kindergartens in Changsha, Hunan, China. Physical activity (PA) was objectively measured using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers, and BMD was assessed using the Sunlight Omnisense 7000P ultrasound device. Screen time (ST) and sleep duration (SD) were reported by parents. Logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between guideline adherence and BMD.

RESULTS

Only 5.5% of the participants met all three guidelines for PA, ST, and SD, while 16.5% did not meet any. In the cross-sectional analysis, young children who met both ST and SD guidelines (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.95) had a lower risk of insufficient BMD compared to those who met none. In the one-year cohort follow-up, young children who met the PA guideline at baseline (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.71), as well as those who met both the PA and ST guidelines (OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.83) or all three (OR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.69), had a lower risk of insufficient BMD at one year.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to the 24-HMB guidelines may promote bone health in young children. Future research should prioritize achievable goals, such as limiting ST and ensuring adequate SD, while gradually increasing MVPA to optimize bone development.

Developmental trends in young children's device-measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of developmental trends in meeting age-specific 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines is lacking. This study describes developmental trends in device-measured physical activity and sedentary time over a three-year period among Western Australian children aged two to seven years, including differences between boys and girls. The proportion of children meeting age-specific physical activity guidelines before and after they transition to full-time school was also examined.

METHODS

Data from waves 1 and 2 of the Play Spaces and Environments for Children's Physical Activity (PLAYCE) cohort study were used (analysis n = 1217). Physical activity and sedentary time were measured by accelerometry at ages two to five (preschool, wave 1) and ages five to seven (commenced full-time school, wave 2). Accelerometer data were processed using a validated machine-learning physical activity classification model. Daily time spent in sedentary behaviour, energetic play (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)), total physical activity, and meeting physical activity guidelines were analysed using linear and generalised linear mixed-effects models with age by sex interaction terms.

RESULTS

All movement behaviours changed significantly with increasing age, and trends were similar in boys and girls. Total daily physical activity increased from age two to five then declined to age seven. Mean daily total physical activity exceeded 180 min/day from ages two to five. Daily energetic play increased significantly from age two to seven, however, was below 60 min/day at all ages except for seven-year-old boys. Daily sedentary time decreased to age five then increased to age seven but remained lower than at age two. All two-year-olds met their age-specific physical activity guideline, decreasing to 5% of girls and 6% of boys at age four. At age seven, 46% of boys and 35% of girls met their age-specific physical activity guideline.

CONCLUSIONS

Young children's energetic play and total physical activity increased with age, but few children aged three to seven met the energetic play (MVPA) guideline. Interventions should focus on increasing children's energetic play in early childhood. Clearer guidance and strategies are needed to support young children as they change developmentally and as they transition from one age-specific movement guideline to the next.

Examining the relationship between meeting 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines and mental health in Chinese preschool children

Background

Limited research has explored the relationship between adhering to 24-h Movement Behaviour guidelines and mental health in Chinese preschool children. The objectives of this study encompassed two primary goals: (1) to investigate the adherence of preschool children in China to the 24-h Movement Behaviour guidelines; and (2) to analyze the relationship between fulfilling various combinations of these guidelines and mental health, identifying the most advantageous combination.

Methods

Utilizing a convenience sampling approach, this study included 205 preschool children (117 boys and 88 girls, average age 4.8 ± 0.51 years) from five kindergartens in Hengyang, Hunan Province. The physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour of preschool children were objectively assessed using waist-worn accelerometers, while sleep duration and screen time were reported by the children's parents. To evaluate mental health, the parent version of the internationally validated Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was employed, which measures externalizing problems, internalizing problems, and prosocial behaviour. Employing Mplus 8.0 for Structural Equation Modeling analysis, while controlling for demographic variables, the study explored the connection between preschool children's mental health and their adherence to the 24-h Movement Behaviour guidelines.

Results

Worryingly, merely 14.6% of preschoolers met the recommended guidelines for all three aspects (PA, sleep duration, and screen time). Positive correlations were identified between meeting PA guidelines and displaying prosocial behaviour (β = 0.184; p < 0.05), while screen time adherence exhibited a negative correlation with externalizing problems (β = -0.207; p < 0.05). Similarly, there was a negative association between sleep duration adherence and externalizing problems (β = -0.191; p < 0.05). Meeting all three recommended guidelines was notably linked to enhanced prosocial behaviour (β = 0.464; p < 0.05), while following the screen time and sleep duration guidelines was negatively associated with externalizing problems (β = -0.246; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study underscores the limited adherence of Chinese preschoolers to the comprehensive 24-h Movement Behaviour guidelines. Noteworthy findings include the positive influence of PA on prosocial behaviour, alongside the significant roles that sleep duration and screen time play in mitigating externalizing problems within this age group. Alignment with the 24-h Movement Behaviour guidelines is associated with more favorable mental health indicators in preschoolers.

Associations between 24-h movement behaviors and indicators of mental health and well-being across the lifespan: a systematic review

Researchers have adopted a variety of analytical techniques to examine the collective influence of 24-h movement behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sedentary behaviors, sleep) on mental health, but efforts to synthesize this growing body of literature have been limited to studies of children and youth. This systematic review investigated how combinations of 24-h movement behaviors relate to indicators of mental ill-being and well-being across the lifespan. A systematic search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, and SPORTDiscus was conducted. Studies were included if they reported all three movement behaviors; an indicator of mental ill-being or well-being; and were published in English after January 2009. Samples of both clinical and non-clinical populations were included. A total of 73 studies (n = 58 cross-sectional; n = 15 longitudinal) met our inclusion criteria, of which 47 investigated children/youth and 26 investigated adults. Seven analytical approaches were used: guideline adherence (total and specific combinations), movement compositions, isotemporal substitution, profile/cluster analyses, the Goldilocks method and rest-activity rhythmicity. More associations were reported for indicators of mental ill-being (n = 127 for children/youth; n = 53 for adults) than well-being (n = 54 for children/youth; n = 26 for adults). Across the lifespan, favorable benefits were most consistently observed for indicators of mental well-being and ill-being when all three components of the 24-h movement guidelines were met. Movement compositions were more often associated with indicators of mental health for children and youth than adults. Beneficial associations were consistently observed for indicators of mental health when sedentary behavior was replaced with sleep or physical activity. Other analytic approaches indicated that engaging in healthier and more consistent patterns of movement behaviors (emphasizing adequate sleep, maximizing physical activity, minimizing sedentary behaviors) were associated with better mental health. Favorable associations were reported less often in longitudinal studies. Collectively, these findings provide further support for adopting an integrative whole day approach to promote mental well-being and prevent and manage mental ill-being over the status quo of focusing on these behaviors in isolation. This literature, however, is still emerging-for adults in particular-and more longitudinal work is required to make stronger inferences.

24-Hour movement behaviors and executive functions in preschoolers: A compositional and isotemporal reallocation analysis

This cross-sectional study explored the relationship between 24-hour movement behaviors and executive function (EF) in preschool children. A total of 426 Han Chinese preschoolers (231 males; 3.8 ± 0.6 years old) from Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China were selected from October 2021 to December 2021. Accelerometers were used to measure physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB), while sleep duration was obtained via a parent-report questionnaire. Components of EF (cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and working memory) were assessed using computerized behavioral tasks. The daily composition was significantly associated with inhibitory control and working memory. Inhibitory control improvements were linked to the addition of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at the expense of SB and sleep. The reallocation between MVPA, SB, sleep, and light physical activity yielded a significant association with working memory.

Association between meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and psychosocial health in children: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Emerging evidence suggests that meeting the 24-h movement guidelines is associated with optimal mental health. However, there remains some uncertainty regarding this association in children. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and psychosocial health in children.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was employed to investigate 2005 children aged 9-12 years from four districts of Shanghai, China. The 24-h movement behaviours were assessed using selected items from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey questionnaire. Children's self-rated psychosocial health was evaluated using the Strengths or Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Generalised Linear Models with the ordinal logistic module were employed to analyse the association between meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and psychosocial health.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of meeting all three 24-h movement recommendations was 10.2%. Among children, 7.9% of them exhibited abnormal total difficulties, with a notable difference between sex (boys: 11.2%, girls: 7.0%, p = 0.001). Meeting all three 24-h movement behaviour recommendations was associated with reduced total difficulties, emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity and peer problems. Furthermore, a dose-response association was observed, indicating that meeting a greater number of 24-h movement behaviour recommendations was associated with enhanced psychosocial health, particularly in boys.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study highlight the positive association between meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and psychosocial health in children. Notably, meeting more of these recommendations was associated with a lower likelihood of experiencing psychosocial problems, with greater benefits observed in boys compared with girls.

Cross-sectional and prospective associations between screen time and childhood neurodevelopment in two Brazilian cohorts born 11 years apart

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between screen time from ages 2 to 4 years and child neurodevelopment at age 4.

METHODS

The participants were from the 2004 (N = 3787) and 2015 (N = 3604) Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort studies. Childhood neurodevelopment was assessed at age 4 using the Battelle Development Inventory. The time children spent on screen devices was reported by their guardians at ages 2 and 4 years. Linear regression models were used to investigate the association of: (i) time spent on television at ages 2 and 4 years; (ii) time spent on other screens at age 4; and (iii) total screen time at age 4 (television + other screens) with childhood neurodevelopment at age 4.

RESULTS

Average daily screen time among children born in 2004 and those born in 2005 aged 4 years were 3.4 (SD: 2.4) and 4.4 h (SD: 2.9), respectively. Overall, few associations of very small magnitude between screen time and child neurodevelopment were observed. Television time at 2 years of age was statistically associated with lower neurodevelopment at 4 years of age in the 2015 cohort (β = -0.30, 95%CI = -0.55; -0.05). Conversely, television time (β = 0.17, 95%CI = 0.07, 0.26) and total screen time (β = 0.22, 95%CI = 0.13, 0.31) at age 4 were associated with higher neurodevelopment at age 4 in the 2004 cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest that the amount of time spent on screen devices might not be associated with neurodevelopment of children under 5 years of age. The small magnitude and inconsistencies in the direction of associations did not find evidence to support the current guidelines for screen time at this age. Therefore, more studies, especially those with longitudinal data, are important to comprehend the true effect of screen time on neurodevelopment and other health outcomes.

Screen time of toddlers in Paris suburbs: Quantitative and qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to describe the exposure of French children aged 12-36 months to screens (time, content, age of first exposure) and to analyze different moderating factors: sociodemographic data, parents' screen time, and other factors (childcare arrangements, language spoken at home, book reading).

POPULATION AND METHODS

We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study based on 171 questionnaires from parents of children aged 12-36 months who consulted different hospitals in the Paris region during the summer of 2020.

RESULTS

The median screen time was 1 h per day and was essentially television time. The median age of first exposure for children was 12 months. Among the most-watched sites, YouTube was in first place. One third of the children chose the content they watched alone, and the majority did so without any parental guidance (66%). Children watched a screen during mealtime every day in 25% of cases, before bedtime in 12.3% of cases, and 8.8% had a screen in their bedroom. More than one third of families left the television on in the background most of the time. In the multivariate analysis, a high level of screen time was notably linked to the child's age, the parents' screen time, and background television. However, the parental reason for exposure "to calm the child" was the most strongly correlated factor with significant child screen time. Reading books appeared to be a determining factor for less screen exposure.

CONCLUSION

These results emphasize the importance of raising parents' awareness about the potential negative effects of screen exposure (particularly on children's cognitive and emotional development) as early as possible during the maternity period. Implementing this prevention in the maternity wards could be an effective way of informing and educating parents about the potential negative effects of screen time on their child's development.

Reallocation of time between preschoolers' 24-h movement behaviours and executive functions: A compositional data analysis

The objectives of the survey were to explored the associations of the 24-h movement behaviours (MB) with executive functions (EFs) and quantified the predicted changes in EFs following allocation of time among behaviours. In the cross-sectional survey, 135 preschoolers (3 ~ 5 years) were enrolled. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary (SED) time were objectively measured employing an ActiGraph GT9X. Sleep time was reported by parents. EFs were assessed using the iPad-based Early Years Toolbox which is a collection of computerized tasks consisting of brief tasks assessed from games administered and scored according to protocol. To explore the associations of the 24-h MB with EFs, compositional multiple linear regression was employed. To quantify the predicted changes in EFs following allocation of time among behaviours, compositional isotemporal substitution was used. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was positively related to cognitive flexibility. Replacing sleep or SED with MVPA was associated with positive changes in cognitive flexibility. When MVPA was replaced with sleep or SED, the predicted detriments to cognitive flexibility were larger than predicted benefits of replacing sleep or SED with MVPA. The findings highlight the key role of intensity of PA for preschoolers' EFs and the importance of meeting recommended levels of MVPA.

Survey of the Adequacy of Brazilian Children and Adolescents to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The 24-Hour Movement Guidelines provide specific recommendations on movement behaviors for children and adolescents. The objective of this study was to verify the adequacy of children and adolescents to the guidelines for moderate to vigorous physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep duration, and the overall adequacy to the guidelines, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted with parents or guardians of children or adolescents from different regions of Brazil using a digital interview form including sociodemographic characteristics of families, moderate to vigorous physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep duration before and during the pandemic. Statistically significant variation was observed in both groups in relation to moderate to vigorous physical activity and recreational screen time between the two periods evaluated. Overall adequacy to the guidelines before the pandemic was 19.28% for children from Group 1 (0-5 years old) and 39.50% for those from Group 2 (6 to 17 years old). During the pandemic, it corresponded to 3.58% in Group 1 and 4.94% in Group 2 (p-value between periods ≤0.001). This study showed the significant impact of pandemic restrictions on reducing overall compliance and physical activity, and increasing screen time among Brazilian children and adolescents.

Associations of activity, sedentary, and sleep behaviors with cognitive and social-emotional health in early childhood

Background

Early childhood is important for cognitive and social-emotional development, and a time in which to promote healthy movement behaviors (sedentary behavior, physical activity, and sleep). Movement behaviors may have interactive influences on cognition and social-emotional factors in young children, but most previous research has explored them independently. The purpose of this study was to determine if movement behaviors are associated with measures of cognitive and social-emotional health in young children and if so, to describe optimal compositions of movement behaviors of a daily cycle for such outcomes.

Methods

Children (n = 388, 33 to 70 months, 44.6% female) from a clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03285880, first posted September 18, 2017) wore accelerometers on their wrists for 24-h for 9.56 ± 3.3 days. Movement behavior compositions consisted of time spent in sedentary behaviors, light intensity physical activity, moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), and sleep. Outcomes were cognitive (receptive vocabulary, declarative and procedural memory, and executive attention) and social-emotional measures (temperament and behavioral problems). Compositional linear regression models with isometric log ratios were used to investigate the relations between the movement behavior composition and the cognitive and social-emotional health measures. If a significant association was found between the composition and an outcome, we further explored the "optimal" 24-h time-use for said outcome.

Results

Movement behavior compositions were associated with receptive vocabulary. The composition associated with the predicted top five percent of vocabulary scores consisted of 12.1 h of sleep, 4.7 h of sedentary time, 5.6 h of light physical activity, and 1.7 h of MVPA.

Conclusions

While behavior compositions are related to vocabulary ability in early childhood, our findings align with the inconclusiveness of the current evidence regarding other developmental outcomes. Future research exploring activities within these four movement behaviors, that are meaningful to cognitive and social-emotional development, may be warranted.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44167-023-00016-6.

Meeting the WHO 24-h guidelines among 2-6-year-old children by family socioeconomic status before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a repeated cross-sectional study

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidelines for 24-h physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour and sleep for young children. Lower socioeconomic status (SES) has been linked to a lower likelihood of meeting these guidelines. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) raised concerns about young children's opportunities to meet the guidelines. The study focused on the prevalence of meeting the WHO's 24-h guidelines on screen time (ST), PA and sleep among 2-6-year-old children, in association with family SES, before COVID-19 outbreak in 2019, and during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 in Finland.

Methods

Data were collected at three timepoints by an online survey through day-care centres. Meeting the WHO 24-h guidelines was defined for each behaviour, from a parent-reported seven-day recall of a typical day on weekdays and weekend days and adapted to the national context. Children were considered to meet the ST guideline if they had maximum of 60 min of ST, the PA guideline if they had minimum of 60 min of outdoor PA, and the sleep guidelines if they had minimum of 11/10/9 h (2/3-5/6 years) of good or very good quality sleep. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine the odds ratios of meeting the guidelines.

Results

The prevalence of meeting the ST guideline was highest before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. The PA guideline was most met during the strict pandemic restrictions in 2020. Children from higher SES families were more likely to meet the ST and sleep duration guidelines either on weekdays or weekends. The PA guideline was met more on weekdays by children whose parents had lower education levels at all timepoints. In 2020, sleep quality guideline was less likely met by children with parents with the highest education levels.

Conclusion

Higher SES may increase the odds of young children meeting the ST and sleep duration guidelines, but the results are more complex regarding PA and SES. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ST, outdoor PA, and sleep of young children varied by family SES, and further research is recommended to identify causality of these relationships.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44167-022-00010-4.

Associations between activity, sedentary and sleep behaviours and psychosocial health in young children: a longitudinal compositional time-use study

BACKGROUND

Good quality sleep, regular physical activity, and limited time spent sedentary are all considered individually important in promoting good mental health in children. However, few studies have examined the influence of each behaviour simultaneously, using compositional analysis which accounts for the closed nature of the 24-h day. Our aim was to determine how compositional time use in early childhood is prospectively related to mental and psychosocial health at 5 years of age.

METHODS

A total of 392 children wore Actical accelerometers 24-h a day for one week at 2, 3.5 and 5 years of age to examine time in sleep, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. Psychosocial and mental health were assessed at age 5 using both laboratory based (researcher-assessed) and questionnaire (parental-report) measures. Associations were estimated using regression models with isometric log-ratios of time-use components as predictors.

RESULTS

Cross-sectionally, 5-year old children who spent 10% (64 min) more time asleep than average had better inhibitory control (standardised mean difference [d]; 0.19; 95% confidence interal [CI]: 0.02, 0.36 for Statue test and d = 0.16; 95% CI: - 0.01, 0.33 for Heads-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task). A greater proportion of time spent active (10%, 31 min) was associated with poorer inhibitory control (d = - 0.07; 95% CI: - 0.13, - 0.02 for Statue test, d = - 0.06; 95% CI: - 0.11, - 0.01 for Heads-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task). By contrast, differences in time-use were not found to be significantly associated with any measure of self-regulation or mental health at 5 years of age, nor were any significant longitudinal relationships apparent.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find a significant association between 24-h time use in the preschool years and any measure of psychosocial or mental health at 5 years of age, although some relationships with inhibitory control were observed cross-sectionally.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00892983, registered 5th May 2009.

Adherence to Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines among infants and associations with development: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

To examine: 1) longitudinal adherence to the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines in a sample of infants and 2) associations between adherence to the guidelines over time and development.

METHODS

Participants were 250 parent-infant dyads from the Early Movers project in Edmonton, Alberta. At 2, 4, and 6 months of age, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, and development were measured with a parental questionnaire that included items from the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). Parents also reported the dates six major gross motor milestones were acquired during the first 18 months of life according to World Health Organization criteria. In a sub-sample (n = 93), movement behaviours were also measured with a time-use diary at 2, 4, and 6 months and gross motor development was measured by a physiotherapist using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 6 months. Guideline adherence was defined as: 1) ≥ 30 min/day of tummy time, 2) no screen time, some reading time, no restrained bouts > 1 h (time-use diary only), and 3) 14-17 h (2 months) or 12-16 h (4 and 6 months) of sleep per 24-h period. Generalized estimating equations were conducted as well as linear mixed models and linear regression models that adjusted for demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Few infants met the guidelines at all time-points (questionnaire: 2%; time-use diary: 0%). Infants that met a recommendation at 2 months, compared to those that did not, were 1.8-8.2 times more likely to meet that recommendation at subsequent time-points. Meeting more recommendations across time-points, according to both measures, was associated with a higher mean ASQ-3 gross motor score. Each additional time-point of tummy time recommendation adherence (questionnaire-measured) was associated with a 5-11-day earlier acquisition of independent sitting, crawling, and independent standing milestones. In the sub-sample, each additional time-point of guideline adherence was associated with a 16% higher AIMS score at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Guideline adherence was low across the first 6 months of infancy. Overall, meeting more recommendations over this period appeared important for gross motor development. Parents and caregivers should be targeted as early as possible with guideline dissemination and activation strategies to promote healthy infant development.

Interactive technology use and child development: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

There is mixed evidence regarding the impact of interactive digital devices on child development. Tentatively some studies suggested that the use of digital devices may correlate negatively with language, executive function, and motor skills. However, attempts to amalgamate this evidence has been limited related to the available number of experimental and cohort studies that have evaluated the impact of digital technology use on child development. We conducted this review to determine the impact of interactive digital devices on child development among children aged 7 years or younger. Interactive technology has been defined as methods, tools, or devices that users interact with in order to achieve specific tasks.

DATA SOURCE

To carry out this systematic review, databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies.

STUDY SELECTION

We used the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data extraction and synthesis was carried out by two reviewers and checked by a third reviewer. Studies were stratified into tiers depending on the level of evidence provided and the domain of development assessed.

RESULTS

Fifty-three studies were eligible for inclusion in the review, 39 Tier 1 (randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies) and 16 Tier 2 (descriptive studies). Children's use of interactive digital technology was positively associated with receptive language and executive function and negatively associated or unrelated to motor proficiency. Other critical aspects informing the evidence, such as dose of exposure, intensity, or duration, were inconsistently reported, making estimates of exposure tentative and imprecise.

CONCLUSION

The studies included in this review were predominantly correlational or comparative in nature and focuses on cognitive domains of learning rather than a specific developmental outcome. It is difficult to generalize our findings beyond the digital devices or applications that have been evaluated by earlier studies. The contextual factors that may moderate the relationship require elaboration in future studies.

Associations between meeting the Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines and physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and overall development in early childhood

BACKGROUND

The importance of all movement behaviours (i.e., sleep, sedentary behaviour, and physical activity) for children's health has led to the creation of national and international 24-h movement behaviour guidelines for children. Few studies have examined the associations between guideline adherence and a broad array of health indicators in early childhood, and no study has done so with composite development scores for overall development. The objective of the present study was to examine associations for 24-h movement guideline adherence with physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and overall development indicators in a sample of 3-5-year-olds.

METHODS

Children (n = 95) were recruited for this cross-sectional study in Edmonton, Canada. Sleep, light-intensity physical activity, and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity were measured with ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers. Screen time was measured via parental-report. Guideline recommendation adherence was categorized using the Canadian 24-h Movement Guidelines. Composite z-scores were created for physical (i.e., adiposity, growth, motor skills), cognitive (i.e., vocabulary, executive functions), social-emotional (i.e., self-regulation, social-emotional behaviours), and overall development. Linear regression models were conducted to examine associations between meeting different recommendation combinations (e.g., physical activity alone, combination of physical activity and sleep), and number of recommendations met (e.g., meeting only one of any of the recommendations) with each composite development outcome variable adjusted for relevant covariates.

RESULTS

Most children were 3-4 years old (77%) and males (69%). The physical activity guideline recommendation was the most frequently met single recommendation (94%), while the physical activity and sleep recommendations (80%) were the most frequently met combination of two recommendations. Further, 43% of children met all three recommendations. Meeting the sleep recommendation was positively associated with overall development (B: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.08-0.50), while meeting both the sleep and physical activity recommendations was positively associated with overall (B: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.10-0.46) and physical (B: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.03-0.51) development.

CONCLUSIONS

Meeting sleep recommendations alone, as well as the combination of sleep and physical activity recommendations were associated with better physical and overall development in this sample. Future research should continue to examine a broad array of development outcomes using longitudinal study designs across early childhood.

Demographic, parental and home environment correlates of traditional and mobile screen time in preschool-aged children

OBJECTIVES

Research on the correlates of screen time in young children, that could be targeted in future interventions to improve healthy development, has primarily focused on TV viewing with little consideration of mobile devices. The objectives of this study were to examine the associations between a range of demographic, parental, and home environment correlates and preschool-aged children's TV/video viewing, video/computer game playing, and total screen time across traditional and mobile devices.

METHODS

The results of this cross-sectional study are based on 106 preschool-aged children (3-5 years) and their parents recruited in 2018 in Edmonton, Alberta. Children's and parental demographic information, home characteristics, and information about parental and children's screen time use was measured using a parent questionnaire. Simple and multiple linear regression models were conducted.

RESULTS

Each additional hour/day of parental screen time was associated with 12 (95%CI = 5.2, 19.8) minutes/day of children's TV/video, 6 (95%CI = 1.5, 11.0), minutes/day of video/computer game playing, and 19 (95%CI = 8.9, 29.2) minutes/day of total screen time. Additionally, significant associations of technology interference and presence of electronics in the bedroom with children's screen time were attenuated in the multiple regression models.

CONCLUSIONS

Parental screen time appears important to target in future family-based screen time interventions and initiatives. Future studies should explore potential mediating or moderating variables between parental screen time and children's screen time.

Prevalence of meeting 24-Hour Movement Guidelines from pre-school to adolescence: A systematic review and meta-analysis including 387,437 participants and 23 countries

BACKGROUND

Meeting the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration) has been associated with positive health indicators. However, there are no previous meta-analyses that have examined the overall adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines from pre-school to adolescence across the world. Therefore, the main purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the overall (non)adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines among preschoolers, children, and adolescents worldwide.

METHODS

Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) were searched for quantitative studies published in Spanish and English between January 2016 and May 2021. Studies that were conducted with apparently healthy participants and reported the overall (non)adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines in preschoolers and/or children and/or adolescents were included.

RESULTS

Sixty-three studies comprising 387,437 individuals (51% girls) aged 3-18 years from 23 countries were included. Overall, 7.12% (95% confidence interval (95%CI): 6.45%-7.78%) of youth met all three 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, and 19.21% (95%CI: 16.73%-21.69%) met none of the 3 recommendations. Concerning sex, adherence to all recommendations was significantly lower in girls (3.75%, 95%CI: 3.23%-4.27%) than in boys (6.89%, 95%CI: 5.89%-7.89%) (p < 0.001). However, there were no sex differences regarding adherence to any of the 3 individual recommendations (girls, 15.66%, 95%CI: 8.40%-22.92%; boys, 12.95%, 95%CI: 6.57%-19.33%). In terms of age group, adherence to the 3 recommendations was 11.26% (95%CI: 8.68%-13.84%), 10.31% (95%CI: 7.49%-13.12%), and 2.68% (95%CI: 1.78%-3.58%) in preschoolers, children, and adolescents, respectively. Conversely, 8.81% (95%CI: 5.97%-11.64%) of preschoolers, 15.57% (95%CI: 11.60%-19.54%) of children, and 28.59% (95%CI: 22.42%-34.75%) of adolescents did not meet any of the recommendations. South America was the region with the lowest adherence (all: 2.93%; none: 31.72%). Overall adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines was positively related to country Human Development Index (β = -0.37, 95%CI: -0.65 to -0.09; p = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

Most young people fail to meet the three 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, particularly adolescents, girls, and those who are from countries with a lower Human Development Index. Moreover, 1 in 5 young people did not meet any of these recommendations. Therefore, these results highlight the need to develop age- and sex-specific strategies to promote these movement behaviors from the early stages of life.

Meeting the Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years is associated with better social-emotional development in preschool boys

24-hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years promote that achieving all three-movement behaviour (sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity) recommendations is important for child health and development. We examined the association between meeting all, none and combinations of the Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years and social-emotional development in 1363 preschool (2-5 years) boys (52%) and girls. The PLAYCE study (Perth, Western Australia) parent survey collected data on children's social-emotional development (Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire), screen time, sleep and socio-demographic factors. Physical activity was measured using seven-day accelerometry. Only 8% of preschoolers met all three guidelines (5% met none). A higher proportion of boys than girls met physical activity-related guideline combinations (physical activity only, physical activity plus screen, physical activity plus sleep, all), while more girls than boys met sleep only guidelines (all p < 0.05). In boys, meeting all guidelines, compared with none, was associated with a lower total difficulties score (adjusted difference in means -1.90; 95%CI: -3.88, -0.10). Meeting the screen only guideline or the screen plus sleep guidelines, compared with none, were associated with lower total difficulties, conduct problems and hyperactivity scores in boys (all p < 0.05). Meeting the physical activity plus sleep guidelines, compared with none, were associated with lower total difficulties and conduct problems scores in boys (all p < 0.05). No significant associations were found for girls. These findings highlight the positive impact for boys social-emotional development in meeting all guidelines. Future guideline development should consider dose-response evidence to identify guideline thresholds for specific health and developmental outcomes for boys and girls.

Associations between the neighbourhood social environment and preschool children’s physical activity and screen time

Background

The neighbourhood social environment (NSE) has been associated with physical activity and screen time behaviours in adults and youth however less is known about this relationship in preschool-aged children (2–5 years). This study seeks to explore associations between the NSE and the physical activity and screen time behaviours of preschool-aged children.

Method

Cross-sectional data was collected in 2019. Parents (n = 214) of preschool-aged children (m = 3.8 ± 0.8 years), from 187 different Australian postcodes representing all states and territories were invited to complete an online survey where they answered questions about their NSE (perceived social cohesion, social interaction, sense of community, social norms and neighbourhood crime) and proxy-reported their child’s usual physical activity and screen time (minutes/day). Two hierarchical linear regressions were run separately to assess relationships between NSE predictor variables and physical activity and screen time. Three logistic regressions were run to determine associations between NSE constructs and the likelihood of meeting: 1) physical activity (≥ 180 min/day including ≥ 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity), 2) screen time (≤ 60 min/day) and 3) both physical activity and screen time guidelines. Child age, gender, childcare attendance, and neighbourhood level socioeconomic status (SES) were controlled for in all analyses.

Results

Social interaction was associated with increased daily physical activity (b = 17.76, 95%CI = 0.81, 34.71), decreased daily screen time (b = -12.77, 95%CI = -23.23, -2.23) and improved the likelihood of meeting physical activity (OR = 1.81, 95%CI = 1.20, 2.75) and combined physical activity and screen time guidelines (OR = 1.51, 95%CI = 1.03, 2.21). Higher neighbourhood crime was associated with a lower likelihood of meeting screen time guidelines (OR = 0.47, 95%CI = 0.47, 0.99). Social cohesion, sense of community and social norms were not statistically significant predictors of daily physical activity, screen time or meeting guidelines.

Conclusion

Social interaction showed the most consistent associations with physical activity and screen time. Future research should consider potential mediators of this relationship, including parental facilitation of children’s outdoor time. Improving understanding of the relationship between the NSE and physical activity and screen time in young children can help to guide community-based initiatives striving to optimise behavioural, health and social outcomes.

Associations between screen time and cognitive development in preschoolers

OBJECTIVES

To examine the cross-sectional associations between screen time and cognitive development in preschoolers.

METHODS

Participants were 97 preschoolers (36 to 60 months) in Alberta and Ontario, Canada in the supporting Healthy physical AcTive Childcare setting (HATCH) study. The time that children spent watching television, videos or DVDs (television time) or playing video or computer games (video game time) on a television, computer, or portable device was assessed using a parental questionnaire. Television time and video game time were summed to calculate total screen time. Adherence to the screen time recommendation (≤1 hour/day) of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines was calculated. Expressive vocabulary and working memory were assessed using the Early Years Toolbox. Due to the distribution of working memory, it was categorized as a binary variable based on the median score. The associations between screen time and cognitive development were examined using mixed models (expressive vocabulary) or generalized mixed models (working memory).

RESULTS

Screen time was not associated with expressive vocabulary. Preschoolers who had higher total screen time were less likely to have better working memory (OR=0.52; 95%CI:0.31, 0.88), despite the null associations for television time (P=0.155) and video game time (P=0.079). Preschoolers who met the screen time recommendation were more likely to have higher working memory capacity (OR=3.48; 95%CI:1.06, 11.47), compared to those who did not meet the recommendation.

CONCLUSION

Limiting total screen time to no more than one hour per day may facilitate working memory development in preschoolers. Screen time may be unrelated to expressive language development in this age group.

Longitudinal Associations Between Device-Measured Physical Activity and Early Childhood Neurodevelopment

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal associations between physical activity and early childhood neurodevelopment.

METHODS

Data from 1673 children from the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study were analyzed. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers on the wrist at ages 1, 2, and 4 years. Neurodevelopment was measured using the Battelle Development Inventory at age 4 years. Linear regression models were used to test trajectories and cumulative associations of physical activity with child neurodevelopment.

RESULTS

Of the 3 physical activity trajectories observed, children in the medium (β = 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.25 to 2.10) and high (β = 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.61 to 3.82) trajectories showed higher neurodevelopment scores than children in the lower activity trajectory. Cumulative analyses showed that children in the highest tertile of physical activity in all follow-ups presented a mean neurodevelopment score 4.57 (95% confidence interval, 2.63 to 6.51) higher than children in the lowest tertile in all follow-ups. All analyses showed a dose-response characteristic of association, with higher physical activity indicating higher neurodevelopment scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity may be an important predictor of neurodevelopment through early childhood.

Adherence to 24-h movement behavior guidelines and psychosocial functioning in young children: a longitudinal analysis

BACKGROUND

A recent paradigm shift has highlighted the importance of considering how sleep, physical activity and sedentary behaviour work together to influence health, rather than examining each behaviour individually. We aimed to determine how adherence to 24-h movement behavior guidelines from infancy to the preschool years influences mental health and self-regulation at 5 years of age.

METHODS

Twenty-four hour movement behaviors were measured by 7-day actigraphy (physical activity, sleep) or questionnaires (screen time) in 528 children at 1, 2, 3.5, and 5 years of age and compared to mental health (anxiety, depression), adaptive skills (resilience), self-regulation (attentional problems, hyperactivity, emotional self-control, executive functioning), and inhibitory control (Statue, Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task) outcomes at 5 years of age. Adjusted standardised mean differences (95% CI) were determined between those who did and did not achieve guidelines at each age.

RESULTS

Children who met physical activity guidelines at 1 year of age (38.7%) had lower depression (mean difference [MD]: -0.28; 95% CI: -0.51, -0.06) and anxiety (MD: -0.23; 95% CI: -0.47, 0.00) scores than those who did not. At the same age, sleeping for 11-14 h or having consistent wake and sleep times was associated with lower anxiety (MD: -0.34; 95% CI: -0.66, -0.02) and higher resilience (MD: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.68) scores respectively. No significant relationships were observed at any other age or for any measure of self-regulation. Children who consistently met screen time guidelines had lower anxiety (MD: -0.43; 95% CI: -0.68, -0.18) and depression (MD: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.62, -0.09) scores at 5. However, few significant relationships were observed for adherence to all three guidelines; anxiety scores were lower (MD: -0.42; 95% CI: -0.72, -0.12) in the 20.2% who adhered at 1 year of age, and depression scores were lower (MD: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.02) in the 36.7% who adhered at 5 years of age compared with children who did not meet all three guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

Although adherence to some individual movement guidelines at certain ages throughout early childhood was associated with improved mental health and wellbeing at 5 years of age, particularly reduced anxiety and depression scores, there was little consistency in these relationships. Future work should consider a compositional approach to 24-h time use and how it may influence mental wellbeing.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00892983.

Preschoolers' and Mothers Dietary Practices and Compliance with the 24-h Movement Guidelines: Results of Oman's National Nutrition Survey

Introduction: Little is known on the nutritional and lifestyle variables of preschool children in Oman. This study analyzed data of the 2017 Oman National Nutrition Survey to assess the prevalence and interrelationships between dietary and movement variables among preschool children, aged 2–5 years. Methods: Household visits of a nationally representative sample evaluated mothers and children’s dietary, sleep and physical activity practices; media exposure; and anthropometric and sociodemographic variables. Results: Dyads of mothers and pre-school children aged 2–5 years (n = 1771) were assessed. Childhood overweight/obesity was prevalent in 2% of the sample. Over 54% of children consumed sweetened items and/or French fries or chips at least once daily. Over 65% of children had fruits and/or vegetables once daily or less. Mothers had healthier dietary and movement habits compared to their offspring. Compliance with media exposure was the lowest among mothers and children. Multivariate regression revealed children’s increased sweet intake was the only significant predictor of excess weight in children. Conclusion: This study revealed a low prevalence of overweight/obesity among preschool children in Oman. Children had an acceptable compliance with sleeping recommendations, yet limited adherence to media exposure, activity, added sugar and fruits and vegetables guidelines.

Physical Activity, Fitness, School Readiness, and Cognition in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Early childhood is an important age for brain and cognitive development. Given the support of physical activity and fitness on cognition and academic performance in older children, more research has emerged recently focusing on younger children. In this systematic review, the authors review the relations between physical activity/fitness and academic-related (ie, school readiness and cognitive) outcomes in early childhood.

METHODS

A search was conducted from PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ERIC databases, and reference lists for articles that had participants aged less than 6 years were written in English, and were in peer-reviewed journals. Articles were excluded if the design was a case study or case series report. The Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework was followed to assess the quality of evidence by study design.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight articles reporting on 72 studies (29 observational and 43 experimental) were included. The majority of study effects were mixed, and the quality of evidence varied from very low to low.

CONCLUSIONS

A clear consensus about the role of physical activity and fitness on academic-related outcomes in early childhood is still lacking given the high heterogeneity in methodological approaches and overall effects. Additional high-quality studies are needed to determine what specific dosages of physical activity are impactful at this age.

Does physical activity moderate the association between screen time and psychosocial development in early childhood? Analysis of a longitudinal infant cohort study in Ireland

The objective of this study was to explore the extent to which the association between screen time and psychosocial development in preschool children differed between the sexes and according to their frequency of engagement in physical activity. Data are based on a prospective cohort of Irish children, collected between 2010 and 2013 when children were ages 3 (n=9786) and 5 years (n=9001). Children's screen time (h/day), psychosocial development (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), and physical activity (bouts/week) were assessed via caregiver report. The magnitude of the association between screen time and changes in behavioural difficulties differed significantly between the sexes. For boys, the association between increased screen time and the onset of behavioural problems coincided directly with a reduction in their frequency of engagement in physical activity. The association between screen time and changes in behavioural difficulties was not moderated by girls' engagement in physical activity, however; and there was no difference in the association between screen time and prosocial behaviours at different frequencies of engagement in physical activity for either boys or girls.Conclusions: Results support recommendations to establish greater balance between physical activity and sedentary behaviours in token economy systems to minimise the negative effects of excessive screen time. What is Known: • Provision of screen time has become normalised as a behavioural reinforcer for use with young children. • Screen viewing above recommended guidelines is associated with behavioural problems that reflect poor self-regulation. What is New: • Boys' levels of engagement in physical activity moderated the relationship between screen time and changes in behavioural difficulties between the ages of 3 and 5 years. • Neither screen time nor physical activity was significantly associated with changes in prosocial behaviours between the ages of 3 and 5 years for either boys or girls.

Associations between meeting 24-hour movement guidelines and health in the early years: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review examined the compliance with the 24-h movement guidelines, and investigated its associations with health indicators for healthy children under 5 years of age. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus were searched for peer-reviewed studies and the last search was conducted on 27 October 2020. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scales were used to assess the quality of included studies. Eighteen articles including 8,943 participants from 11 countries were included. On average around 13% of the children met all three guidelines. Meta-analyses of the associations between meeting all three guidelines and adiposity yielded no significant results (r = - 0.03; 95% CI = - 0.12, 0.06; I² = 51%; P = 0.48). Meeting more guidelines was associated with better psychosocial health (3/4 studies). Associations between meeting individual or combined guidelines and motor development yielded mixed results (2/2 studies), while no associations between meeting guidelines and cognitive development were observed (1 study). Compliance with all three guidelines was low. Further evidence is required to understand the associations between meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and health outcomes. Nevertheless, there was evidence of a dose-response relationship between meeting the guidelines and better psychosocial health in the early years.

The Association Between Preschooler Physical Activity Duration and Intensity and Social Emotional Development: Findings From the PLAYCE Study

BACKGROUND

Social emotional development is imperative to young children's long-term psychological and physical health. Physical activity (PA) may be important for young children's social emotional development. The association between preschooler PA duration and intensity and social emotional development was investigated.

METHODS

Data from six hundred and fifty-one 2- to 4-year-olds in the Play Spaces and Environments for Children's Physical Activity (PLAYCE) study were analyzed. PA was measured using ActiGraph-GT3X accelerometers worn over 7 days. Social emotional development was measured using the parent-completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multilevel linear regression models examined the association between PA duration and intensity and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire subscales.

RESULTS

Preschoolers did 158.2 (SD = 40.2) minutes per day of PA with 27% meeting the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines for the Early Years. There was a 1.74 point decrease in the total Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire score for each additional hour of moderate-intensity PA per day (P < .05). Similar significant associations were found across all domains of social emotional development except hyperactivity, and were consistent across different intensities of light, moderate, and vigorous PA.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the potential importance of PA, especially moderate-intensity play-based PA, for different aspects of preschool children's social emotional development. Longitudinal and intervention research is required to confirm whether promoting PA in the early years provides developmental benefit.

Prevalence and Correlates of Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines Among Colombian Children and Adolescents

BACKGROUND

Global estimates have shown that a small proportion of children and adolescents are physically active. However, the evidence on physical activity (PA) among Colombian children and adolescents is limited. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and correlates of meeting PA guidelines among Colombian children and adolescents.

METHODS

Data were collected as part of the National Survey of Nutrition 2015. A national sample of 16,612 children and adolescents (3-17 y) was included. Prevalence estimates of meeting PA and active play guidelines were calculated, and Poisson regression models were conducted to identify correlates of PA.

RESULTS

Low proportion of Colombian children and adolescents met the PA guidelines. Low engagement in active play was observed among preschoolers. Correlates varied by age group. Female sex was a consistent negative correlate of meeting PA guidelines across all age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Urgent actions are needed to promote active play and PA among Colombian children and adolescents. The correlates identified in our study can help inform the development of actions to overcome the disparities and provide opportunities for children to achieve their full potential for healthy growth and development.