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A National Sample of Swedish Young Children Shows Sociodemographic Variations in Physical Activity and Screen Time

Gisela Nyberg1,2, Björg Helgadóttir1, Lotta Moraeus3

  • 1Department of Physical Activity and Health, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|October 3, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Most 18-month-olds meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, but only half of 4-year-olds do. Many young children exceed screen time limits, with age, sex, and parental education influencing PA and screen time. Targeted interventions are suggested.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Physical activity (PA), sedentary time, and screen time are crucial for young children's health and development.
  • Understanding trends and disparities in these behaviors is essential for public health initiatives.
  • National data on these behaviors in young children are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate physical activity (PA), sedentary time, and screen time in a national sample of Swedish children.
  • To examine how these behaviors vary by age (18 months and 4 years), sex, and parental education.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 1078 children aged 18 months and 750 children aged 4 years.
  • Data collected via accelerometry and questionnaires from parents.
  • Analysis of physical activity, sedentary time, and screen time in relation to age, sex, and parental education.

Main Results:

  • 94% of 18-month-olds and 51% of 4-year-olds met PA guidelines.
  • Screen time guidelines were exceeded by many children: 22% (weekdays) and 17% (weekends) at 18 months, and 60% (weekdays) and 28% (weekends) at 4 years.
  • Girls at age four had lower PA than boys. Children with highly educated parents had higher participation in organized activities, used active transport more, and had lower screen time.

Conclusions:

  • A significant decline in meeting PA guidelines occurs between 18 months and 4 years of age.
  • Excessive screen time is prevalent in both age groups.
  • Age, sex, and parental education are significant factors associated with children's PA and screen time, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.
Abstract

Keywords:
accelerometryactive transportorganised activitiesscreen guidelinessedentary time

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