Cross-sectional examination of 24-hour movement behaviours among 3-and 4-year-old children in urban and rural settings in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries : the SUNRISE study protocol

Introduction 24-hour movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) during the early years are associated with health and developmental outcomes, prompting the WHO to develop Global guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age. Prevalence data on 24-hour movement behaviours is lacking, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper describes the development of the SUNRISE International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years protocol, designed to address this gap. Methods and analysis SUNRISE is the first international cross-sectional study that aims to determine the proportion of 3- and 4-year-old children who meet the WHO Global guidelines. The study will assess if proportions differ by gender, urban/rural location and/or socioeconomic status. Executive function, motor skills and adiposity will be assessed and potential correlates of 24-hour movement behaviours examined. Pilot research from 24 countries (14 LMICs) informed the study design and protocol. Data are collected locally by research staff from partnering institutions who are trained throughout the research process. Piloting of all measures to determine protocol acceptability and feasibility was interrupted by COVID-19 but is nearing completion. At the time of publication 41 countries are participating in the SUNRISE study. Ethics and dissemination The SUNRISE protocol has received ethics approved from the University of Wollongong, Australia, and in each country by the applicable ethics committees. Approval is also sought from any relevant government departments or organisations. The results will inform global efforts to prevent childhood obesity and ensure young children reach their health and developmental potential. Findings on the correlates of movement behaviours can guide future interventions to improve the movement behaviours in culturally specific ways. Study findings will be disseminated via publications, conference presentations and may contribute to the development of local guidelines and public health interventions.Funding Agencies|American Council on Exercise, USA; Beijing Health System High Level Talents Training Project, China [2015-3-88]; Biomedical Research Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh [BRF-19-01]; Canadian Institutes of Health Research Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS-M)Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR); Canadian Institutes of Health Research Planning and Dissemination GrantCanadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) [155265]; Civilian Research Development Foundation (CRDF) Global [OISE-20-66864-1]; Department of National Planning and Monitoring, PNG Government [02704]; Early Start, University of Wollongong, Australia; Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Fogarty International Center (FIC) of the National Institutes of Health [D43 TW010137]; Geran Universiti Penyelidikan (GUP), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia [GUP-2018-142]; Global Challenges Program, University of Wollongong, Australia [888/006/497]; Harry Crossley Foundation, South Africa; National Institute of Education-Ministry of Education, Singapore [OER 04/19 TWP]; Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Vietnam [1319/QD-TDHYKPNT]; Sasakawa Sports Research Grant, Sasakawa Sports Foundation, Japan [190A2-004]; Stella de Silva Research grant from Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, Sri Lanka; The DST-NRF Centre for Excellence in Human Development at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Pioneers Program (ISBNPA-2021); The University Research Coordination Office of the De La Salle University, Philippines [29 IR S 3TAY192021]; Universidad de La Frontera Research Directorate, Chile [DI20-0093, DFP19-0012, DI20-1002]; WHO European Office for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases