24-Hour Movement Behaviours Research on Australian Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Background

24-hour movement behaviours (24-h MB), including physical activity, sleep, and sedentary time, are associated with health and developmental outcomes in children and adolescents. While some research on 24-h MB exists, systematic data synthesis in Australian context is limited, leaving gaps in understanding guideline compliance, associated factors, and outcomes.

Purpose

This study reviewed the literature on 24-h MB on Australian children and adolescents, summarised evidence, and identified future research agendas.

Methods

Articles published between June 2016 and March 2024 were identified through a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SportDiscus, and CINAHL.

Results

Twenty-two articles were included. Themes of the articles: prevalence meeting 24-h MB guidelines (n=12), correlates (n=3), health and well-being outcomes (n=13), academic performance (n=4), and interventions (n=1). Adherence to all three guidelines ranged from 2% to 20.3%. Correlates included family health history, primary to secondary school transition, and socioeconomic position. Associated outcomes to adherence included enhanced academic performance (n=3), higher quality of life (n=5), and improved physical (n=9) and mental (n=2) health. Text messaging intervention effectively influenced movement behaviours (n=1). Compositional analysis in nine articles highlighted association of a balanced 24-h day with optimal health and academic performance.

Conclusions

Addressing the critical gaps beyond dominant focus on prevalence and well-being outcomes in 24-h MB research on Australian children and adolescents is imperative. Future research should focus on interventions and causality between these behaviours and both health and academic performance. Additionally, more research is needed to develop effective strategies to promote these behaviours.

Practical implications

This review provides a foundation for future research on the potential role of 24-h MB on health and developmental outcomes of children and adolescents. The insights from this review aim to guide the development of targeted interventions to enhance the well-being of Australian children and adolescents.

Funding

No external funding received.