A scoping review of 24-h movement behaviours research in Chinese children and adolescents

Background Physical activity, sleep, and sedentary behaviour are essential components within the 24-h time frame. A scientific understanding of 24-h movement behaviours is crucial for formulating targeted intervention guidelines and programs. The objective of this study was to map the current research landscape and fill the gaps in 24-h movement behaviours among Chinese children and adolescents. Methods Web of Science, PubMed, EBSCO, and, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were systematically searched for relevant studies published between January 2019 and October 2025. The study followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, and the literature screening process involved three rounds: duplicate removal, title and abstract screening, and full-text screening. Inclusion criteria: Targeting Chinese children and/or adolescents aged 3–18 years; Focusing on 24-h movement behaviours; Published in Chinese or English; Data extraction included: title, author, year, country, study type, research design, adherence to guideline, sample characteristics, and research results. Results Ninety two studies were included in this scoping review. All the included studies were published between 2019 and 2025, showing a generally increasing trend over the years. The review included 817,482 participants aged 3–18 years, predominantly from the general population. Geographically, Shanghai and Guangdong were core regions, while the underdeveloped central and western regions had extremely low representation. Most studies used a cross-sectional design (80), with few longitudinal or intervention ones. For monitoring, device-based tools dominated sedentary behaviours/screen time assessment (31), while questionnaires were the primary tool for physical activity (40), and public data utilization was low. Research variables centered on mental health, covering physical fitness, social interaction, body composition, etc. Fifty-two studies showed average compliance rates of 17.59% (Physical Activity, PA), 51.08% (screen time), 31.62% (sleep), and only 4.91% for all three. Conclusion Research on 24-h movement behaviours among Chinese children and adolescents faces multiple challenges, including an uneven geographic distribution of samples, limited diversity in monitoring methods and analytical methods, and low compliance with relevant guidelines. Most studies adopt a cross-sectional design, with few prospective cohort studies and intervention experimental studies. Additionally, there are no guidelines for 24-h movement behaviours tailored to Chinese children and adolescents.