Prevalence, Sociodemographic, and Attitudinal Factors of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Among Children and Adolescents in Fiji

This study examines the proportion of children and adolescents in Fiji meeting the Asia-Pacific physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) recommendations, and to explore associated factors.

A cross-sectional sample of caregivers (n = 1015) and their children aged 5-17 years completed an online survey based on Ajzen's conceptualization of attitudes within the Theory of Planned Behavior. Data included meeting PA and ST behaviors recommendations, sociodemographic factors, knowledge of recommendations, and attitudes toward meeting PA and ST recommendations. Generalized linear mixed models were used to identify factors associated with meeting recommendations.

53% of children met both PA and ST recommendations, 87% met PA recommendations, and 62% met ST recommendations. Girls (odds ratio [OR] = 0.568; 95% CI, 0.360-0.896) had lower odds of meeting PA recommendations compared with boys. Children with less positive attitudes toward PA were less likely to meet PA recommendations (OR = 0.520; 95% CI, 0.312-0.868) compared with those with the most positive attitude. Children who live in rural (OR = 1.900; 95% CI, 1.233-2.929) and remote/very remote (OR = 1.681; 95% CI, 1.128-2.505) had higher odds of meeting ST recommendations compared to urban children. Children who speak English (OR = 0.567; 95% CI, 0.399-0.806) and Fijian-Hindi speakers (OR = 0.644; 95% CI, 0.469-0.883) had lower odds of meeting ST recommendations versus iTaukei/Fijian speakers.

There is a need for targeted interventions promoting PA among girls and addressing ST across demographic groups.