| Terminology |
Definitions |
Examples |
| Screen Time |
Refers to the time spent on screen-based behaviours, which can be performed while being sedentary or physically active.
Recreational screen time: Time spent in screen behaviours that are not related to school or work.
Stationary screen time: Time spent using a screen-based device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer, television) while being stationary in any context (e.g., school, work, recreational).
Sedentary screen time: Time spent using a screen-based device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer, television) while being sedentary in any context (e.g., school, work, recreational).
Active screen time: Time spent using a screen-based device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer, television) while not being stationary in any context (e.g., school, work, recreational).
General definition applies to all age and ability groups. |
- All age and ability groups: Watching TV, using a smartphone/tablet, using a computer
- Active screen time: Playing active video games, running on a treadmill while watching television.
|
|
| Sedentary Behaviour |
Sedentary behaviour is any waking behaviour characterized by an energy expenditure ≤ 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs), while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture.
Sedentary time: The time spent for any duration (e.g., minutes per day) or in any context (e.g., at school or work) in sedentary behaviours.
Sedentary bout: A period of uninterrupted sedentary time.
Sedentary interruptions/breaks: A non-sedentary bout in between two sedentary bouts.
Infants (less than 1 year or pre-walking): Any waking behaviour characterized by low energy expenditure while restrained (e.g., stroller/pram, high chair, car seat/capsule), or when sedate (e.g., reclining/sitting in a chair with little movement but not restrained). Time spent in the prone position (“tummy time”) is not considered a sedentary exposure.
Toddlers and preschoolers (1–4 years), children and youth (5–17 years), adults (≥ 18 years) and all ability groups: Same as the general definition.
|
- Infants (less than 1 year or pre-walking): Lying awake in the bed with minimal movement; sitting in a baby chair/high chair/stroller/car seat with minimal movement; being carried/held/cuddled by someone
- Toddlers and preschoolers (1–4 years): Use of electronic devices (e.g., television, computer, tablet, phone) while sitting, reclining or lying; reading/drawing/painting while sitting; sitting in stroller; sitting in baby chair or couch while eating a meal; sitting in a bus, car or train.
- Children and youth (5–17 years): Use of electronic devices (e.g., television, computer, tablet, phone) while sitting, reclining or lying; reading/writing/ drawing/painting while sitting; homework while sitting; sitting at school; sitting in a bus, car or train.
- Adults (≥ 18 years): Use of electronic devices (e.g., television, computer, tablet, phone) while sitting, reclining or lying; reading/writing/talking while sitting; sitting in a bus, car or train.
- People who use a manual wheelchair or a power chair: Use of electronic devices (e.g., television, computer, tablet, phone) while sitting, reclining or lying; reading/writing/drawing/painting/talking while sitting; sitting in a bus, car or train; moving from place to place in a power chair; being pushed while passively sitting in a manual wheelchair.
|
| Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines |
Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines provide recommendations regarding the volume and type of sedentary pursuits that help prevent disease and/or improve health for Canadians. |
- Canadian Movement Behaviour Guidelines for the Early Years (ages 0-4 years): An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep
- Canadian Movement Behaviour Guidelines for Children and Youth (ages 5-17 years): An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep
www.csep.ca/guidelines
|
| Sedentary Behaviour Pattern |
The manner in which sedentary behaviour is accumulated throughout the day or week while awake (e.g., the timing, duration and
frequency of sedentary bouts and breaks).
General definition applies to all age and ability groups.
|
- Prolonger: Someone who accumulates sedentary time in extended continuous bouts.
- Breaker: Someone who accumulates sedentary time with frequent interruptions and in short bouts.
|
| Sitting |
A position in which one's weight is supported by one's buttocks rather than one's feet, and in which one's back is upright.
Active sitting: Active sitting refers to any waking activity in a sitting posture characterized by an energy expenditure >1.5 METs.
Passive sitting: Passive sitting refers to any waking activity in a sitting posture characterized by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 METs.
General definition applies to all age and ability groups.
|
- Active sitting: Working on a seated assembly line; playing guitar while seated; using devices that engage one's feet/legs while seated; doing arm ergometry in a wheelchair.
- Passive sitting: Refer to sedentary behaviour examples while sitting.
|
| Sleep Hygiene |
Habits and practices conducive to sleeping well on a regular basis. The promotion of regular sleep is also known as sleep hygiene. |
- Going to bed at the same time each night, and rising at the same time each morning.
- Sleeping in a quiet, dark and relaxing environment, which is not too hot or too cold.
- Making your bed comfortable and using it only for sleeping (not for other activities, such as reading, watching TV or listening to music).
- Removing all TVs, computers and other "gadgets" from the bedroom.
- Avoiding large meals before bedtime.
|
| Standing |
A position in which one has or is maintaining an upright position while supposed by one's feet
Active standing: Active standing refers to any waking activity in a standing posture characterized by an energy expenditure >2.0 METs, while standing without ambulation, whether supported or unsupported.
Passive standing: Passive standing refers to any waking activity in a standing posture characterized by an energy expenditure [≤]2.0 METs, while standing without ambulation, whether supported or unsupported.
Standing time: The time spent for any duration (e.g., minutes per day) or in any context (e.g., at school/work) while standing.
Standing bout: A period of uninterrupted time while standing.
Standing interruptions/breaks: A non-standing bout in between two standing bouts.
Infants (less than 1 year or pre-walking), toddlers and preschoolers (1–4 years), children and youth (5–17 years), adults ([≥] 18 years) and people who use a manual wheelchair or a power chair: Same as the general definition.
People who are unable to stand: Not applicable.
|
- Active standing: Standing on a ladder; standing while painting; standing while doing dishes.
- Passive standing: standing in a line, standing for a hallway discussion.
- Supported standing: Standing while holding a couch, chair, or parent's hand; use of electronic devices.
|
| Stationary Behaviour |
|
Stationary behaviour refers to any waking behaviour done while lying, reclining, sitting, or standing, with no ambulation, irrespective of energy expenditure.
Stationary time: The time spent for any duration (e.g., per day, per week), in any context (e.g., at school/work), and at any intensity (e.g., standing in a line, working on an assembly line with no ambulation, working at a standing desk, sitting in a classroom) in stationary behaviours.
Stationary bout: A period of uninterrupted stationary time.
Stationary interruptions/breaks: A non-stationary bout in between two stationary bouts (applies to all age and ability groups except infants).
General definition applies to all age and ability groups except for infants (less THAN 1 year to pre-walking) and people with a mobility impairment who are unable to stand.
|
| Structured Physical Activities |
Activities that occur in a planned, deliberate, repetitive context. |
Children and Youth:
- School physical education (PE) class
- Organized Lessons (e.g., dance, swimming or karate)
- Competitive sport (e.g., Gymnastics, house league soccer or travel hockey)
Adults and Older Adults:
- Yoga or Tai Chi class
- Fitness class
- Running, hiking or Nordic walking as part of a club or group
- Exercising in a gym under supervision
- Water aerobics
|
| Surveillance |
The continuous, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health-related data needed for the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health practice.
Surveillance of population levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviours using a standardized protocol is an important and necessary part of a public health response to current concerns regarding lack of physical activity in many populations. For example, it allows for the monitoring of the proportion of children and youth meeting the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. |
- Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS)
- Health Behaviour of School-aged Children Survey (HBSC)
|