Social vulnerability as a predictor of physical activity and screen time in European children

OBJECTIVES: To examine associations between social vulnerabilities and meeting physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) recommendations during a 2-year follow-up.

METHODS: 13,891 children aged 2.0 to < 9.9 from eight European countries were assessed at baseline and 8482 children at follow-up. Children's sports club membership, PA and ST were collected via parental questionnaires. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was objectively assessed with accelerometers. Performing at least 1 h of MVPA daily and spending less than 2 h of ST defined physically active and non-sedentary children, respectively. Vulnerable groups were defined at baseline as children whose parents had minimal social networks, from non-traditional families, with migrant origin or with unemployed parents. Logistic mixed-effects analyses were performed adjusting for classical socioeconomic indicators.

RESULTS: Children whose parents had minimal social networks had a higher risk of non-compliance with PA recommendations (subjectively assessed) at baseline. Migrants and children with unemployed parents had longer ST. All vulnerable groups were less likely to be sports club members.

CONCLUSIONS: Migrants and children with unemployed parents are at risk for excessive ST and all vulnerable groups have lower odds of being sports club members.