Appropriateness of the definition of 'sedentary' in young children: Whole-room calorimetry study.

John J Reilly, Xanne Janssen, Dylan P Cliff, Anthony D Okely

Journal: Journal of science and medicine in sport 2016;18(5):565-8

PMID: 25130279

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to measure the energy cost of three common sedentary activities in young children to test whether energy expended was consistent with the recent consensus definition of 'sedentary' as 'any behaviour conducted in a sitting or reclining posture and with an energy cost ≤ 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs)' (Sedentary Behaviour Research Network, 2012).

DESIGN

Observational study.

METHODS

Whole-room calorimetry measures of television viewing, sitting at a table drawing and reading, and sitting on the floor playing with toys were made in 40 young children (mean age 5.3 years, SD 1.0).

RESULTS

The energy cost of each sedentary activity was consistent with the recent consensus definition of sedentary: 1.17 METs (95% CI 1.07-1.27) for TV viewing; 1.38 METs (95% CI 1.30-1.46) for sitting at a table; and 1.35 METs (95% CI 1.28-1.43) for floor-based play.

CONCLUSIONS

Common sedentary activities in young children have energy costs which are consistent with the recent consensus definition of 'sedentary', and the present study is supportive of this definition.

Address: School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom. Electronic address: [email protected].; School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom; Interdisciplinary Educational Research Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia.; Interdisciplinary Educational Research Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2014.07.013

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MeSH Terms: Calorimetry, Child, Child, Preschool, Energy Metabolism, Female, Humans, Leisure Activities, Male, Play and Playthings, Sedentary Behavior, Television