title: Regional sociocultural differences as important correlate of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Swiss preschool children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Regional differences in physical activity in school-aged children and adults even within one country with the same political and health care system have been observed and could not be explained by sociodemographic or individual variables. We analysed whether such differences were already present in preschool children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Swiss children from 84 childcare centres in five cantons (Aargau, Bern, Fribourg, Vaud, Zurich) comprising about 50% of the population of the country participated. Physical activity was quantified with accelerometers (ActiGraph, wGT3X-BT) and potential correlates were assessed with measurements at the childcare centre or questionnaires. Mixed regression models were used to test associations between potential correlates of total physical activity (TPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA) or sedentary behaviour with a special focus on regional differences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  394 of 476 children (83%) provided valid physical activity data (at least 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day with 10 h recording; mean age 3.9 ± 0.7 years, 54% boys) with 26% and 74% living in the French- and German-speaking parts of Switzerland, respectively. Days consisted of (mean ± standard deviation) 1.5 ± 0.5 h MVPA, 5.0 ± 0.6 h LPA, and 6.3 ± 0.8 h sedentary behaviour with an average of 624 ± 150 counts/min TPA. TPA and MVPA (but not sedentary behaviour or LPA) increased with age, were higher in boys and children with better motor skills. Despite controlling for individual characteristics, familial factors and childcare exposure, children from the French-speaking part of Switzerland showed 13% less TPA, 14% less MVPA, 6% less LPA and 8% more sedentary behaviour than German-speaking children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beside motor skills and non-modifiable individual factors, the regional sociocultural difference was the most important correlate of phyical activity and sedentary behaviour. Therefore, regionally adapted public health strategies may be needed.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Claudia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Leeger-Aschmann
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Einat A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Schmutz
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Radtke
authors.affiliation: Child Development Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, and Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Tanja H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kakebeeke
authors.affiliation: Child Development Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Annina E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Zysset
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Messerli-Bürgy
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stülb
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Amar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arhab
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andrea H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Munsch
authors.affiliation: Child Development Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, and Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Oskar G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Jenni
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland, and Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Obesity, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerl.
authors.forename: Jardena J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Puder
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Susi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kriemler
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003469:Culture; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland