Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine the proportion of preschool children under 5 years old meeting the 24-h World Health Organisation guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. Another objective was to examine the association between the health-related quality of life and meeting these guidelines among preschool children in Singapore. Parents completed an online and anonymous SMALLQ® (Surveillance of digital Media hAbits in earLy chiLdhood Questionnaire) on children’s physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. Meeting the 24-h WHO guidelines meant, within a 24-h period, (i) having at least 180 min of physical activity (ii) engaging in less than 60 min of screen media and (iii) having 10–13 h of good quality sleep. Parent-reported health-related quality of life of the children was determined using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™, collected online at the same time. Parent-reported data showed that 12.6% met none while 9.6% of preschool children met all the WHO guidelines. 70.7%, 56.9% and 26.5%, of preschool children respectively, achieved the sleep, physical activity and screen media use guidelines within a 24-h period. 40.5% met two guidelines while 37.4% met one guideline. Significant differences were detected in the health-related quality of life among preschool children who met all, none, or met 1–2 of the WHO guidelines (i.e. total health score: 82.9 ± 12.4 vs. 76.4 ± 15.1 vs. 78.6 ± 14.5%, p < 0.05; ƞ2 = 0.008–0.11). Our results show that the health-related quality of life of preschool children increased with the number of WHO guidelines accomplished.
High sedentary behaviour and low physical activity are associated with lower health related quality of life in Myanmar and Vietnam
