Sedentary behaviour surveillance in Canada: trends, challenges and lessons learned

Abstract

Background: Historical changes in the nature of sedentary activities have been observed in other countries, but it is not clear if similar trends exist in Canada. It is also unclear how changes in the measurement of sedentary behaviour affects national estimates. Our objective is to document all sources and measures of sedentary behaviour from Canadian, nationally representative surveys, and report on selected estimates of time spent in sedentary activities. Lessons learned can benefit the wider international surveillance community.

Methods: We describe and document all data sources of sedentary behaviour at the national level in Canada, and report on selected prevalence data from repeated cross-sectional surveys. We summarize amounts of total device-assessed sedentary time and self-reported sedentary activities (e.g., passive travel, leisure television, computer, video games, screen, and reading) by age group over time.

Results: Nineteen national surveys were identified. Changes in questions and/or response categories precluded direct assessment of trends over time for some measures; however, certain trends were observed. Accelerometer-measured sedentary time, leisure reading (among those < 50 years) and television/video viewing in younger age groups have remained relatively stable (with a possible slight decline in television/video viewing). Time spent in passive travel and leisure computer and electronic device use appears to have increased. Television and video viewing appears to have increased in older adults while their leisure reading appears to have fallen.

Conclusions: Changes in measurement of sedentary behaviour can affect estimates and reduce comparability over time. Total leisure screen use appears to have increased over time, reflecting the ways in which Canadians spend their free time and technological advances. The main public health message is the need for continued efforts to reduce leisure screen use, especially among youth and older adults.

Keywords: Accelerometers; Measurement; Population health; Questionnaires; Sedentary behaviour; Surveillance.

Fig. 1

Accelerometer-measured total sedentary time by age group. Data sources: Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007–2009, 2009–2011, 2012–2013, 2014–2015, 2016–2017)

Fig. 2

Self-reported daily average leisure television or video watching time by age group across survey years. Legend: F – Estimate not releasable. Data sources: Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Core content (CCHS core; 2007–2008, 2011–2012); Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Optional content (CCHS optional; 2000–01, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016); Canadian Community Health Survey – Nutrition Focus Survey (CCHS Nutrition; 2004, 2015); Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS; 2007–2009, 2009–2011, 2012–2013, 2014–2015, 2016–2017); General Social Survey – Time Use Survey (GSS; 1986, 1992, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2015), Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study (HBSC; 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014). Only surveys with the same questions and responses have been joined by solid lines

Fig. 3

Self-reported daily average leisure computer time by age group across survey years. Data sources: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS; 2007–2009, 2009–2011, 2012–2013, 2014–2015, 2016–2017); Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Core content (CCHS core; 2007–2008, 2011–2012); Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Optional content (CCHS optional; 2000–01, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016); Canadian Community Health Survey – Nutrition Focus Survey (CCHS Nutrition; 2004 and 2015); Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study (HBSC; 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014). Only surveys with the same questions and responses have been joined by solid lines

Fig. 4

Self-reported daily average leisure video game time in youth and young adults across survey years. Legend: E – Interpret estimate with caution due to high sampling variability. Data sources: Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Core content (CCHS core; 2007–2008, 2011–2012); Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Optional content (CCHS optional; 2000–01, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016); Canadian Community Health Survey – Nutrition Focus Survey (CCHS Nutrition; 2004, 2015); Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS; 2007–2009, 2009–2011, 2012–2013, 2014–2015, 2016–2017); Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study (HBSC; 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014). Only surveys with the same questions and responses have been joined by solid lines

Fig. 5

Self-reported daily average leisure screen time by age group across survey years. Data sources: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS; 2007–2009, 2009–2011, 2012–2013, 2014–2015, 2016–2017); Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Core content (CCHS core; 2007–2008, 2011–2012, 2017–2018); Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Optional content (CCHS optional; 2000–01, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016); Canadian Community Health Survey – Nutrition Focus Survey (CCHS Nutrition; 2004, 2015); Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study (HBSC; 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014). Only surveys with the same questions and responses have been joined by solid lines

Fig. 6

Proportion meeting screen time guideline adherence (≤ 2 h/day) by age group across survey years. Legend: E – Interpret estimate with caution due to high sampling variability. Data sources: Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Core content (CCHS core; 2007–2008, 2011–2012, 2017–2018); Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Optional content (CCHS optional; 2000–01, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016); Canadian Community Health Survey – Nutrition Focus Survey (CCHS Nutrition; 2004, 2015); Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS; 2007–2009, 2009–2011, 2012–2013, 2014–2015, 2016–2017); Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study (HBSC; 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014). Only surveys with the same questions and responses have been joined by solid lines

Fig. 7

Self-reported daily average leisure reading time by age group across survey years. Legend: E – Interpret estimate with caution due to high sampling variability. F – Estimate not releasable. Data sources: Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Core content (CCHS core; 2007–2008, 2011–2012); Canadian Community Health Survey Annual – Optional content (CCHS optional; 2000–01, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016); Canadian Community Health Survey – Nutrition Focus Survey (CCHS Nutrition; 2004); Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS; 2007–2009, 2009–2011, 2012–2013, 2014–2015, 2016–2017); General Social Survey – Time Use Survey (GSS; 1986, 1992, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2015). Only surveys with the same questions and responses have been joined by solid lines

Fig. 8

Self-reported daily average passive travel time by age group in the General Social Survey – Time Use Survey. Data sources: General Social Survey – Time Use Survey (1986, 1992, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2015)