Physical activity and screen time in Swedish children and adolescents: The generation pep study 2018-2021.

AIM: To analyse physical activity and screen time trends annually between 2018 and 2021 in large population-based samples of Swedish children and adolescents. METHODS: This is a repeated cross-sectional study using data collected over 4 years (2018-2021) using simple probability sampling of Swedish children and adolescents aged 4-17 years. The web-based questionnaire, including questions on physical activity and screen time, was filled out by a parent if the child was <12 years of age and by the adolescents themselves if they were ≥ 12 years. Sociodemographic data was collected from the parents. RESULTS: No significant difference in physical activity was observed in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019. However, older children/adolescents and girls have higher odds to be in a lower physical activity category (p-values<0.001). With regards to screen time, there was a significant increase in reported screen time from 2018 to 2021 for children and adolescents, with screen time peaking in 2020 (p-values<0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first study in Sweden evaluating trends in physical activity and screen time in large population-based samples spanning from pre-school to adolescence. Interventions to promote physical activity, especially in the older age groups and to reduce screen time in a Swedish context are warranted.

Generation Pep Study: A population-based survey on diet and physical activity in 12,000 Swedish children and adolescents.

AIM: This study presents dietary intake and physical activity in a large nationally representative sample of children and adolescents in Sweden. It also reports the study protocol for the Generation Pep Study that will be used for yearly repeated measurements. METHODS: A random sample of children and adolescents aged 4-17 years living in Sweden was invited to fill in a Web-based questionnaire on dietary intake and physical activity. For participants aged <12 years, the parents were asked to fill in the questionnaire together with their child. Information on socio-economic background was collected from the parents. RESULTS: A total number of 12,441 children and adolescents participated in the study (participation rate 43%). The results indicate that 13- to 17-year-olds have notably less healthy dietary intake and lower physical activity compared with younger age groups. In general, the dietary intake was most healthy among 4- to 6-year-olds. A socio-economic gradient was seen for many of the studied variables. CONCLUSION: Participants of a high socio-economic status and younger age generally had healthier dietary intake and higher physical activity. The study provides novel national data as it includes a wide age of children and adolescents (4-17 years).