Abstract

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Background

The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth: An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep, provide specific recommendations on the amount of time over a typical 24-hour day that children and youth aged 5 to 17 should spend in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (at least 60 minutes), recreational screen time (no more than 2 hours), and sleep (9 to 11 hours for 5- to 13-year-olds; 8 to 10 hours for 14- to 17-year-olds).

Data and methods

Based on combined results of cycles 2 (2009-to-2011) and 3 (2012-to-2013) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey, this analysis examines average daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, screen time and sleep duration of 5- to 11-year-olds and 12- to 17-year-olds, and the percentages meeting the 24-Hour Guidelines’ recommendations. Findings are presented overall and by age group and sex. Differences in average daily times between groups were tested for statistical significance, as weredifferences between groups in the percentages meeting each recommendation and combination of recommendations.

Results

Overall, 17.5% of children and youth met the 24-Hour Guidelines’ specific time recommendations. Higher percentages of children than youth (29.6% versus 5.5%) and boys than girls (22.9% versus 11.8%) met the recommendations. About a third (36.3%) met two of the three recommendations.

Interpretation

Recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep have higher levels of adherence among children than youth.

Keywords

Accelerometer, exercise, motor activity, physical activity, screen time, sleep

Findings

For children and youth, regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) has positive impacts on physical and mental health in the short- and long-term. But although MVPA tends to be the focus of attention, all movement behaviours are related to health. Notably, independent benefits of limiting sedentary time (specifically, screen time) for adiposity, fitness, self-esteem, academic performance, and pro-social behaviour have been documented. Evidence also suggests that inadequate sleep is associated with weight gain, depression, and poor academic performance. [Full Text]

Authors

Karen C. Roberts (Karen.c.roberts@phac-aspc.gc.ca) and Xiaoquan Yao are with the Public Health Agency of Canada. Valerie Carson is with the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. Jean-Philippe Chaput and Mark S. Tremblay are with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario. Ian Janssen is with Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario.

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What is already known on this subject?

  • Regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) has positive impacts on physical and mental health.
  • Independent benefits of limiting sedentary time (specifically, screen time) have been documented.
  • Inadequate sleep is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes.
  • The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth: An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep provide recommendations for children and youth related to MVPA, light physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep.

What does this study add?

  • Based on combined results of cycles 2 (2009-to-2011) and 3 (2012-to-2013) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey, about a third of children and youth met the Guidelines MVPA recommendation; almost half met the screen-time recommendation; and three-quarters met the sleep recommendation.
  • Children aged 5 to 11 were more likely than 12- to 17-year-olds to meet the recommendations for MVPA, screen time, and sleep duration.
  • The percentage of boys meeting the MVPA recommendation was almost double that of girls.
  • Overall, 17.5% of children and youth met all three specific time recommendations; 10.7% did not meet any of the recommendations.

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