Examining the correlates of out-of-school television viewing, computer use and overall time in sedentary behaviors among Finnish 11-year-old children

Background: This study aimed to examine the associations between individual, social and environmental characteristics and out-of-school television viewing, computer use, and overall time spent in sedentary behaviors. Material/Methods: A sample of 11-year-old children (N = 155) in Finland wore an accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X) for seven days. Before the accelerometer-use, questionnaire assessments of television viewing, computer use, reported PA, bedtimes, wake-up times, perceived parental PA and PA encouragement and measurements of weight and height were obtained. Weather data were obtained for the 7 days of accelerometer use and parents reported their educational background. Associations between the studied correlates and average minutes of out-of-school television viewing, computer use, and overall time spent in sedentary behaviors were tested using multiple linear regression analyses. Results: Television viewing, computer use, and overall time in sedentary behaviors primarily had separate individual and social correlates. Only recorded and reported PA were associated with all the outcomes. Of the physical environmental correlates, colder after school temperatures and less hours of daylight were associated with increased overall time in sedentary behaviors. Conclusions: Preventive interventions and studies should take into account the separate correlates of television viewing, computer use, and overall time in sedentary behaviors.