Device-measured sedentary time in Norwegian children and adolescents in the era of ubiquitous internet access: secular changes between 2005, 2011 and 2018

Abstract

Background: Access to screen-based media has been revolutionized during the past two decades. How this has affected sedentary time (ST) accumulation in children is poorly understood.

Methods: This study, based on the Physical Activity among Norwegian Children Study (PANCS), uses accelerometer data from population-based samples of 9- and 15-year-olds, collected in 2005 (n = 1722), 2011 (n = 1587) and 2018 (n = 1859). Secular changes between surveys were analysed using random-effects linear regression models adjusted for survey-specific factors. Data on ST were collected using hip-worn ActiGraphs and ST was defined using a threshold equivalent to <100 counts/min. Sedentary bouts were grouped by duration: <1, 1-5, 5-15, 15-30 and ≥30 min.

Results: Between 2005 and 2018, ST increased by 29 min/day in 9-year-old boys (95% CI: 19, 39; P <0.001), by 21 min/day in 15-year-old boys (95% CI: 8, 34; P = 0.002) and by 22 min/day in 15-year-old girls (95% CI: 10, 35; P <0.001), but not in 9-year-old girls at 6 min/day (95% CI: -3, 16; P = 0.191). All age-sex groups accumulated less ST in bouts lasting <5 min and more ST in longer bouts, particularly in 5-15-min bouts. Adolescent girls also increased ST accumulation in 15-30-min and ≥30-min bouts. Changes were largely mirrored before, during and after school on weekdays and during weekend days.

Conclusions: Coinciding with the introduction of smartphones, tablets and near-universal internet access, total daily ST and ST accumulated in prolonged sedentary bouts increased between 2005 and 2018 in children and adolescents.

Keywords: Sedentary; accelerometer; adolescents; children; physical activity; screen-time; secular change.