Prevalence and correlates of 24-hour movement behaviors among Thai preschoolers.

Authors

Panitchaya Limsiri, Dyah Anantalia Widyastari, Aubdul Aunampai, Sittichat Somta, Piyawat Katewongsa, Anthony D Okely

Published in

Journal of exercise science and fitness. Volume 24. Issue 4. Pages 200493. Epub Jun 23, 2026.

Abstract

Early childhood is a critical period for children's growth and development. Given that over 30% of Thai children under age five experience developmental delays, it is important to examine their movement behavior: physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. These three components are important factors for optimal development. This study assessed 24-h movement behaviors of Thai preschoolers, determined the proportion meeting WHO guidelines, and explored how demographic factors differentiate these behaviors.
Data from the Sunrise Thailand Dataset 2023, comprising 518 children aged 3-4 years (50.5% boys and 49.5% girls), were analyzed. Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep were measured using ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometers. Children's adherence to WHO guidelines was evaluated using descriptive statistics. Independent-samples t-tests and one-way ANOVAs examined differences across demographic subgroups. Multiple linear regression models identified predictors of movement behaviors.
Only 26.3% of Thai preschoolers met recommended physical activity levels, 49.8% adhered to sleep duration guidelines, and 68.5% followed sedentary behavior limits. Just 7.5% met all three recommendations simultaneously. Regression analyses revealed socioeconomic factors as the strongest predictors: children from low-income households and those with parents in agriculture or government sectors showed significantly reduced sleep duration and increased sedentary time. Single-parent families demonstrated the lowest overall adherence.
The majority of Thai preschoolers failed to meet WHO guidelines, with particularly low compliance in physical activity. These results emphasize the need for developing public health strategies to improve movement behavior, especially in vulnerable populations such as single-parent families and rural communities. Policies should focus on increasing access to safe play environments, promoting active lifestyles, and providing targeted support to caregivers to help children meet these critical health recommendations.

PMID:
42437021
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 12 Jul 2026.

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