Age‐related change in sedentary behavior during childhood and adolescence: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

• Published in: Obesity reviews Vol. 22; no. 9; pp. e13263 - n/a
• Main Authors: Kontostoli, Elli, Jones, Andy P., Pearson, Natalie, Foley, Louise, Biddle, Stuart J. H., Atkin, Andrew J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2021
• Subjects: Adolescents; Age; Behavior; change; Child development; Children; Computer & video games; Confidence intervals; Criteria; Mental health; Meta-analysis; Quality assessment; Questionnaires; Sedentary behavior; Statistical analysis; Subgroups; Systematic review; Teenagers; Youth
• ISSN: 1467-7881; 1467-789X
• DOI: 10.1111/obr.13263

Summary Sedentary behaviors are highly prevalent in youth and may be associated with markers of physical and mental health. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to quantify the age‐related change in sedentary behavior during childhood and adolescence. Ten electronic databases were searched. Inclusion criteria specified longitudinal observational studies or control group from an intervention; participants aged ≥5 and ≤18 years; a quantitative estimate of the duration of SB; and English language, peer‐reviewed publication. Meta‐analyses summarized weighted mean differences (WMD) in device‐assessed sedentary time and questionnaire‐assessed screen‐behaviors over 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, or more than 4‐year follow‐up. Effect modification was explored using meta‐regression. Eighty‐five studies met inclusion criteria. Device‐assessed sedentary time increased by (WMD 95% confidence interval [CI]) 27.9 (23.2, 32.7), 61.0 (50.7, 71.4), 63.7 (53.3, 74.0), and 140.7 (105.1, 176.4) min/day over 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, and more than 4‐year follow‐up. We observed no effect modification by gender, baseline age, study location, attrition, or quality. Questionnaire‐assessed time spent playing video games, computer use, and a composite measure of sedentary behavior increased over follow‐up duration. Evidence is consistent in showing an age‐related increase in various forms of sedentary behavior; evidence pertaining to variability across socio‐demographic subgroups and contemporary sedentary behaviors are avenues for future research.