Abstract
Background: Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep (movement behaviours) are complementary. Previous studies have suggested a significant association between movement behaviours and the growth, development, and health status of young children. Studies conducted in Western countries have suggested that movement behaviours differ based on parental education. However, this has not been examined in Japan, and there is insufficient evidence on this topic.
Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the relationship of parental education with physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep duration among young children in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
Methods: This study used cross-sectional data from the SUNRISE Japan Study, an international comparative study of movement behaviours among young children. The participants were 52 three- and four-year-old children (and their parents) enrolled in one rural and three urban preschools in Okinawa Prefecture. The parental education level was used as an index of the family's socioeconomic status. PA was measured using an accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X). Data on ST and sleep duration were collected through a questionnaire survey of parents. The association between parental education and movement behaviours were analysed using regression analysis adjusted for covariates (area type, age, sex, and body mass index).
Results: Although none of the movement behaviours were significantly related to parental education, children whose parents had a high school diploma or lower educational achievements tended to sleep less than those whose parents had a university degree or higher educational achievements.
Conclusion: Sleep duration differs based on parental education among young children in the Okinawa Prefecture. Further research is needed to determine whether the findings of this study apply throughout Okinawa and in different prefectures.
