[Objective] The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship of establishing four basic lifestyle habits (getting up and going to bed early; eating breakfast; limited time spent watching television and,exercise habits)with the number of daily steps and physical fitness test scores. [Methods] Surveys of lifestyle and the number of daily steps were conducted for one week in June 2010 on 435 elementary school children in grade 3 and above in A City. The relationship of lifestyle habits with the number of daily steps and physical fitness test scores was investigated. [Results] On weekdays, children got up at around 6:30 am, with no difference observed among school grades; however, time of going to bed became later with increasing school grade. Children with established breakfast everyday kept the habits of lifestyle rhythm and tended to watch television for only short lengths of time;however, no difference was seen for the number of daily steps. Conversely, children who exercised more frequently took significantly more the daily steps and had higher physical fitness scores. Established eating breakfast were related to the habits of lifestyle rhythm and length of time spent watching television, while established exercise habits were related to the number of daily steps and physical fitness. The present findings suggest the need for establishing these four basic lifestyle habits, including both exercise habits and lifestyle habits, in order to ensure children.s healthy development and improve physical fitness.
