Correlates of device-measured physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleeping in children aged 9-11 years from Chile: ESPACIOS study

Background: Little is known about of correlates of physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB), and sleeping in children from Latin America. The aim of this study was to assess the association between potential correlates with device-measured PA, SB and sleeping time in children from 9 to 11 years in Carahue, Chile. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess correlates of physical behaviours (demographic, psychological, behavioural, home and school environment factors) from data reported by participants and caregivers. Each participant wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer on the hip during seven consecutive days to measure PA, SB and sleeping time. Results: In total, 148 participants completed the study (47.3% male, 10.0 +/- 0.8 years). SB was positively associated with age, being female, family income, total screen time and distance to places, and negatively with higher scores of parent support for PA. Light PA was associated with age, family income, total screen time (all negative), and parent support for PA (positive). Moderate PA was associated with being male, self-efficacy and established healthy lifestyle committee at school. Vigorous PA was associated with being male, self-efficacy (both positive) and BMI z-score (negatively). Sleeping time was associated with age, portable videogame ownership (both negative) and PE minutes/week (positive).Conclusion: Variables from different levels explained each behaviour, reinforcing the need for multilevel strategies for promoting and helping to ensure healthier lifestyles in children.