Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
Published on: July 27, 2022
Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of Canadian children aged 3 to 5
Didier Garriguet1, Valerie Carson2, Rachel C Colley1
1Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
Insights
Most preschoolers need more physical activity and less screen time. This study found only 73% of 3-4 year olds and 30% of 5 year olds met physical activity guidelines, while screen time targets were missed by most 3-4 year olds.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Physical activity benefits preschool children's health, while sedentary behavior is linked to adverse outcomes.
- Canadian preschool children's adherence to physical activity and sedentary behavior guidelines requires updated estimates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide updated estimates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in Canadian children aged 3 to 5 years.
- To assess adherence to Canadian physical activity and sedentary behavior guidelines using combined data from two Canadian Health Measures Survey cycles.
Main Methods:
- Combined data from 2009-2011 (cycle 2) and 2012/2013 (cycle 3) Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) for children aged 3-5.
- Utilized accelerometry and parent-administered questionnaires to measure physical activity and screen time.
- Employed a Betabinomial distribution for physical activity guideline adherence and parent reports for screen time adherence.
Main Results:
- Adherence to physical activity guidelines was estimated at 73% for 3-4 year olds and 30% for 5 year olds.
- Screen-time guideline adherence was met by 22% of 3-4 year olds and 76% of 5 year olds.
- Results varied based on personal and household covariates.
Conclusions:
- Findings are robust due to larger sample size and advanced estimation methods.
- Significant room for improvement exists in physical activity for 5-year-olds and screen time for 3-4 year olds.
- Highlights the need for targeted interventions to promote healthy behaviors in preschool-aged children.
Background:
For preschool children, physical activity is associated with improved measures of health, while sedentary behaviour is associated with less favourable health outcomes. This study updates estimates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour among children aged 3 to 5, based on combined data from two cycles of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) in order to calculate adherence to Canadian physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines.
Data And Methods:
The data are from two independent samples that comprised the 2009-to-2011 (cycle 2) and 2012/2013 (cycle 3) CHMS. Accelerometry and a parent-administered questionnaire were used in both cycles on children aged 3 to 5. Accelerometer data, collected in 60-second epochs in cycle 2 and in 15-second epochs in cycle 3, were combined using an adjustment factor derived in an independent sample. Prevalence of adherence to the physical activity guidelines, according to the accelerometer data, was estimated based on a Betabinomial distribution. Adherence to the screen-time component of the sedentary behaviour guidelines was calculated using parent reports. Results are presented by personal and household-related covariates.
Results:
An estimated 73% of 3- to 4-year-olds and 30% of 5-year-olds met their respective physical activity guidelines. Screen-time targets were met by 22% of 3- to 4-year-olds and 76% of 5-year-olds.
Interpretation:
Because they rely on a larger sample size and stronger estimation methods, the findings of this study are more robust than previously published estimates. Results reveal room for improvement, particularly 5-year-olds' physical activity and 3- to 4-year-olds' screen time.
