Exploring urban-rural differences in 24-h movement behaviours among tunisian preschoolers: Insights from the SUNRISE study

Abstract

Little is known about differences in physical activity among children from urban and rural areas in low-to middle-income countries and some previous investigations revealed disparities in physical activity levels among children and adolescents residing in urban and rural environments. We aimed to: (i) assess the proportion of preschool-aged children (3.0–4.9 years) meeting the global movement guidelines, (ii) evaluate the feasibility of the methods for the SUNRISE study, (iii) examine gender- and urban-rural differences in health and behavior outcomes. Urban and rural location was based on national classifications. Physical activity (waist-worn ActiGraph); sleep duration, screen time and movement behaviors; Gross and fine motor skills (Lower body strength and mobility, Supine-Timed up and go [S-TUG], One-leg standing balance test, hand grip dynamometer, 9-hole peg-board test); and executive functions (visual-spatial working memory and inhibition) were assessed in 112 preschoolers (n ​= ​50 boys, 33 urban), (n ​= ​62 girls, 41 urban). The results showed that only 18% of children met all movement guidelines, with 53% and 41% meeting the recommendations for sedentary screen time and total physical activity, respectively. A large proportion of children (81%) met the recommended sleep duration of 10–13 ​hours (h) per day. There is a clear need to promote healthy movement behaviours among preschool-aged children through targeted interventions that address their unique challenges related to gender and urban/rural residence.

Keywords

• 24-h movement behaviors
• Sedentary behavior
• Screen time
• Early childhood development
• Urban/rural residence
• Executive function