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International study of 24-h movement behaviors of the early years (SUNRISE): A pilot study from Iran
Najmeh Hamzavi Zarghani1, Zahra Jafari2, Fereshteh Amini3
1Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Only 4.8% of Iranian children met all World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. This pilot study highlights the need for strategies to promote healthier lifestyles in preschool children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Examines adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in Iranian children under 5 years.
- Investigates the feasibility and acceptability of methods for the SUNRISE study.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess the proportion of Iranian preschool children meeting WHO physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep recommendations.
- Evaluate the practicality and acceptance of assessment tools for future research.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study involving 83 children aged 3-4 years in Iran (2022).
- Assessed physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep using ActiGraph wGT3x-BT.
- Evaluated fine and gross motor skills and executive functions using validated tools.
Main Results:
- Only 4.8% of children met all WHO recommendations.
- Proportions meeting specific guidelines: MVPA (44.6%), TPA (38.6%), screen time (19.3%), restrained sitting (38.6%), and sleep (65.1%).
- High completion rates for ActiGraph wear (62.6% for 3+ days) and skill assessments (91.5%-97.6%).
Conclusions:
- The pilot study demonstrated feasibility and acceptability among Iranian children.
- A low proportion of children met WHO guidelines, indicating a need for intervention.
- Recommends developing practical strategies to promote healthier lifestyles in Iranian preschool children.
Background:
This study examined the proportion of Iranian children who met the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years. Additionally, it investigated the feasibility and acceptability of the methods to be used in the SUNRISE study.
Methods:
This pilot study was conducted among 83 children aged 3 and 4 years in preschools and health care centres in Iran, in 2022. Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep (ActiGraph wGT3x-BT); fine and gross motor skills (validated activities); and executive functions (the Early Years Toolbox) were assessed.
Results:
Only four (4.8%) children met all recommendations of the WHO guidelines. The proportion of children who met MVPA, TPA, screen time, restrained sitting and sleep were 44.6%, 38.6%, 19.3%, 38.6% and 65.1%, respectively. Fifty-two (62.6%) children wore the ActiGraph for at least three full days. A total of 97.6%, 95.1% and 91.5% of children completed anthropometric, EF and motor skill assessments, respectively.
Conclusion:
This pilot study was feasible and acceptable among Iranian children. Regarding the low proportion of children who met the WHO guidelines, it is recommended that long-term and practical strategies be developed to promote healthier lifestyles among preschool children in Iran.
