Associations between Meeting 24-hour Movement Guidelines and Myopia Among School-aged Children: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background The Canadian 24-hour movement behavior (24-HMB) guidelines recommend an adequate level of physical activity (PA), a limited amount of screen time (ST), and sufficient sleep duration (SLP) to promote the healthy development of children. Although the positive effects of adhering to the 24-HMB guidelines have been established for several health parameters, less is known about how adherence to the 24-HMB guidelines relates myopia risk (i.e., inability to see distant objects properly). This study investigated associations between meeting 24-HMB guidelines and myopia risk in school-aged children.Method Using a questionnaire survey, this cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of school-aged children (5–13 years) in China from September 15 to October 15, 2022, with a total of 1,423 respondents with complete data for analysis. Parents reported their child’s time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), SLP and ST. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between measures of PA, ST, and SLP alone and in combination, and myopia.Results A relatively low percentage of the children (4.92%) met all 24-HMB guidelines, while 32.46% had myopia. Girls had a significantly higher risk of myopia compared to boys (OR = 1.3, 1.002 to 1.68, p = 0.049). Children of parents without myopia had a lower risk of myopia (OR = 0.45, 0.34–0.59, p < 0.001). Children who lived in cities (OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.33 to 2.52, p < 0.001) or towns (OR = 1.60, 1.03 to 2.47, p = 0.04) had a significantly higher risk of myopia compared to those living in villiages. Meeting SLP guidelines (OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.82, p < 0.01), meeting ST + SLP guidelines (OR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.32–0.69, < 0.001), and meeting all three guidelines were associated with significantly decreased risk of myopia (OR = 0. 40, 95% CI 0.20–0.82, p = 0.01). Meeting more 24-HMB guidelines was associated with reduced risk of myopia.Conclusions Adhering to SLP guideline, ST + SLP guideines, and ST + SLP + PA may be a preventive approach to the onset and progression of myopia. Future research investigating dose-response associations, and potential mechanisms, is necessary to achieve a more nuanced understanding of the observed associations.