Correlates of Sedentary Time Among Children and Adolescents in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

To assess the correlates of sedentary time among children and adolescents in Ethiopia.

The study was conducted in representative samples of children and adolescents in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine associations of sedentary time and predictor variables.

The mean sedentary time was 4.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.35-4.86) hours per day. Overall, the prevalence of high sedentary time (>3 h/d) was 68.2% (95% CI, 64.2-72.2). Results of multivariable logistic regression analyses showed a statistically significant association between high sedentary time and female household head (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.32-0.80), literate mothers (AOR = 1.98; 95% CI, 1.26-3.11), child attending public school (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.12-2.85), children who belonged to the poor and rich household wealth tertiles compared with medium wealth tertile (AOR = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.42-3.72 and AOR = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.14-3.65, respectively), and those families that did not have adequate indoor play space for children (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.29-0.72).

The study found that time spent sedentary was high in the study area as compared with other studies of similar settings. Several modifiable factors were identified that can be targeted in interventions to reduce sedentary time in the study setting.