Sedentary Time and Screen-Based Sedentary Behaviors of Children With a Chronic Disease

Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2015 May;27(2):219-25. doi: 10.1123/pes.2014-0074. Epub 2014 Nov 10.

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to (i) assess sedentary time and prevalence of screen-based sedentary behaviors of children with a chronic disease and (ii) compare sedentary time and prevalence of screen-based sedentary behaviors to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Sixty-five children (aged 6-18 years) with a chronic disease participated: survivors of a brain tumor, hemophilia, type 1 diabetes mellitus, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and Crohn's disease. Twenty-nine of these participants were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Sedentary time was measured objectively by an ActiGraph GT1M or GT3× accelerometer worn for 7 consecutive days and defined as less than 100 counts per min. A questionnaire was used to assess screen-based sedentary behaviors. Children with a chronic disease engaged in an average of 10.2 ± 1.4 hr of sedentary time per day, which comprised 76.5 ± 7.1% of average daily monitoring time. There were no differences between children with a chronic disease and controls in sedentary time (adjusted for wear time, p = .06) or in the prevalence of TV watching, and computer or video game usage for varying durations (p = .78, p = .39 and, p = .32 respectively). Children with a chronic disease, though relatively healthy, accumulate high levels of sedentary time, similar to those of their healthy peers.

MeSH terms

  • Accelerometry
  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease*
  • Computers
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Activity*
  • Sedentary Behavior*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Television
  • Time Factors
  • Video Games