Table 1 Description of the home sedentary environment of younger and older children

Home environment (mean (SD))

Parent values (range: 1-4)

Parent cares about the amount of time they themselves spend watching TV

2.30 (0.58)

2.28 (0.59)

0.62

Parent modelling (range 1-6)

Parent watched TV, videos or DVD's with the child

3.27 (1.13)

3.65 (1.36)

< 0.001

Parent used computer or internet with the child

2.27 (1.18)

2.30 (1.19)

0.71

Parent played electronic games with the child

1.60 (1.01)

1.50 (0.94)

0.11

Parent ate dinner in front of TV with the child

2.19 (1.62)

2.44 (1.70)

0.01

Parent ate snacks with child while watching TV

2.07 (1.23)

2.20 (1.27)

0.07

Child eating while watching TV (range 1-6)

Child ate dinner in front of TV

2.43 (1.76)

2.66 (1.73)

0.04

Child ate snacks while watching TV

3.40 (1.57)

3.52 (1.58)

0.19

Parenting practices

Parents are restrictive about sedentary behaviours (range: 6-30)

23.4 (5.80)

23.1 (5.77)

0.37

Parents offer sedentary behaviour as a reward (range: 2-10)

4.37 (2.60)

3.85 (2.43)

0.001

Home sedentary environment

Three or more televisions in home (% yes)

38.5

55.3

< 0.001

Television in child's bedroom (% yes)

14.0

28.3

< 0.001

Computer or e-game console in child's bedroom (% yes)

14.5

29.1

< 0.001

Overall count of sedentary equipment (range: 1-10)

5.5 (1.56)

6.38 (1.53)

< 0.001