24-hour movement behaviors of physical activity, screen time, and sleep in youth with down syndrome compared to...

Youth with Down syndrome (DS) tend to have a higher prevalence of obesity compared to their peers with typical development (TD). Physical activity, sleep and screen time are modifiable behaviors which can influence childhood obesity. To better understand an individual's activity, these behaviors should be examined concurrently versus independently over a 24-h period.

To pilot the examination and comparison of physical activity, sleep, and screen and non-screen sedentary behaviors concurrently in a 24-h period, and determine if 24-h guidelines were met in a sample of youth with DS and peers with TD.

This secondary data-analysis from a cross-sectional study included youth with DS and peers with TD. Parent reported 24-h activity logs were completed for 6 days. Total minutes spent in each behavior were calculated and the 24-h movement guideline recommendations were compared between groups using independent t-tests and chi-square analyses.

Youth with DS (n = 8) and youth with TD (n = 9) spent significantly different time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (t(15) = 2.334, p = 0.034). Light physical activity, non-screen and screen time sedentary behaviors, and sleep were comparable. Both groups met recommended guidelines for moderate-to-vigorous activity and sleep, however, screen time guidelines were only met by 50% of youth with DS and 22% of youth with TD.

Youth with DS met two of the three recommended guidelines for the 24-h movement behaviors. By studying each behavior concurrently over a 24-h period, an increased understanding of activity is present and targeted changes can be made.