Higher Sedentary Behaviour and Not Following Screen Time Guidelines Were Associated With Unfavourable Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Childhood

Aim Sedentary behaviour may influence children's cardiometabolic health; however, evidence remains limited. This study investigated the associations between sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic outcomes in nine‐year‐old children and from 4 to 9 years of age. Associations between adherence to screen time guidelines and cardiometabolic outcomes at 9 years of age were also examined. Methods Movement behaviours were assessed using accelerometers in 411 children at 4 and 9 years of age. Cardiometabolic outcomes at 9 years of age comprised blood pressure, lipid and glucose biomarkers, and a metabolic syndrome score. Screen time was assessed via questionnaire. Compositional data analysis and analysis of covariance were used. Results Increasing sedentary behaviour at the expense of physical activity and sleep at 9 years of age was associated with higher systolic ( p = 0.021) and diastolic ( p = 0.019) blood pressure. Greater sedentary behaviour at 4 years of age was associated with higher diastolic blood pressure ( p = 0.050) and lower high‐density lipoprotein ( p = 0.034) at 9 years of age. Children adhering to screen time guidelines had a lower metabolic syndrome score ( p = 0.014), low‐density lipoprotein ( p = 0.045), and triglycerides ( p = 0.022). Conclusion Higher sedentary behaviour and not adhering to screen time guidelines were associated with unfavourable cardiometabolic outcomes from 4 to 9 years and at 9 years of age.