Physical activity and screen-time viewing among elementary school-aged children in the United States from 2009 to 2010

• Published in: JAMA pediatrics Vol. 167; no. 3; p. 223
• Main Authors: Fakhouri, Tala H I, Hughes, Jeffery P, Brody, Debra J, Kit, Brian K, Ogden, Cynthia L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2013
• Subjects: Age Factors; Child; Computers - statistics & numerical data; Continental Population Groups; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ethnic Groups; Exercise; Female; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Income; Male; Nutrition Surveys; Obesity; Sedentary Lifestyle - ethnology; Television - utilization; United States; Video Games - statistics & numerical data; United States
• DOI: 10.1001/2013.jamapediatrics.122

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.