Associations Between Sedentary Behaviour and Fine and Gross Motor Skills in 3‐ to 4‐Year‐Olds: A Secondary Data Analysis From Sunrise International Study Pilot Studies

ABSTRACT Background The evidence on associations between sedentary behaviour (SB) and motor skills in 3‐ to 4‐year‐olds is unclear and mostly from high‐income countries. Objective The objective of this study is to examine associations between (1) screen time (h/day) and total daily SB (h/day), and gross and fine motor skills, and (2) meeting the restraint, screen time and overall SB (restraint and screen time) guidelines and fine and gross motor skills. Methods Cross‐sectional study of 1394 3‐ to 4‐year‐olds from the pilot phase of the SUNRISE International study. Time spent in SB was measured using the activ PAL accelerometer, whereas screen time and restraint were measured using a parent questionnaire. Fine and gross motor skills were measured using parent‐reported Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ‐3). Associations between SB and motor skills were determined using linear and logistic regression, adjusting for sex and socioeconomic status. Results Every additional 1 h of screen time was associated with 0.50‐point reduction in gross motor skills scores ( p = 0.008). More screen time was associated with decreased odds of being on track for fine and gross motor skill development ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.017, respectively). Meeting the screen time ( p = 0.009) and overall SB guidelines ( p = 0.006) were favourably associated with fine motor skills scores. Meeting the screen time, restraint and overall SB guidelines were favourably associated with gross motor skills scores ( p = 0.007, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), higher odds of being on track for fine ( p = 0.033, p = 0.015 and p < 0.001, respectively) and gross motor skills ( p = 0.006, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) development. Conclusion The present study adds to the evidence on the importance of sedentary behaviour for the motor development of 3‐ to 4‐year‐olds. It is important that policy makers and health educators develop strategies that will encourage and promote adherence to sedentary behaviour guidelines among 3‐ and 4‐year‐olds.