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Table 1 National Canadian surveys with questions on sedentary behaviour

From: Sedentary behaviour surveillance in Canada: trends, challenges and lessons learned

Survey name

Year(s)

Ages

Method of administration

Type(s) of sedentary behaviour

# of questions

Recall period, temporal unit

Response option

Canada Health Survey

1978–79

All ages

Interviewer-administered in-person without computer-assisted interviewing

Occupational (usual work activity)

1

Usual day, single day

Categorical (including “I am usually sitting during the day and do not walk very much”)

Canada Fitness Survey

1981

≥ 10 years (questionnaire)

Self-administration in-person

Daily sitting

1

Usual day, single day

Categorical (including: “almost all of the time, bout ¾ of the time, about ½ of the time, about ¼ of the time, almost none of the time”)

Canadian Census – Long Form

1996, 2001, 2006, 2016, ongoing

≥ 15 years

Self-administration in-person

Passive transit (usual transit mode to work)

1

Usual day

Categorical (including: car, truck or van - as driver; car, truck or van - as passenger; public transit; motorcycle, taxicab)

Canadian Community Health Survey

2000–01, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008

≥ 12 years (excludes residents of Indian Reserves, Crown Lands, institutions, certain remote regions, full-time members of Canadian Forces, and beginning in 2015 excludes youth living in foster homes)

Interview-led, personal interviews that were computer-assisted and assessed by phone

1. Leisure computer

2. Leisure video gamesa

3. Leisure television

4. Leisure reading (paper-based)

4

Typical week, past 3-months

Categorical (none, < 1 h/week, 1-2 h/week, 3-5 h/week, 6-10 h/week, 11-14 h/week, 15-20 h/week, > 20 h/week)

2009, 2010

1. Leisure computer

2. Leisure video gamesa

3. Leisure television

4. Leisure reading (paper-based)

Continuous

2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

1. Leisure computer

2. Leisure video gamesa

3. Leisure television

4. Leisure reading (paper + eBooks)

2015, 2016

1. Free time reading (including homework, paper-based and electronic formats)

2. Free time television, DVDs, movies or Internet videos

3. Free time video or computer gamesa

4. Free time computer, tablet or smart phone

Last 7 days

Continuous

2017, 2018, ongoing

1. Free time screen (television, electronic device) on school/work day

2. Free time screen (television, electronic device) on non-school/non-workday

2

Categorical (≤ 2 h/day, > 2 but < 4 h/day, 4 to < 6 h/day, 6 to < 8 h/day, ≥ 8 h/day)

Canadian Community Health Survey – Nutrition Focus Survey

2004

Children: 6–11 years

Youth: 12–17 years

Interview-led, personal interviews that were computer-assisted and assessed by phone

Children:

1. Television, videos, video games

2. Computer (including playing games, e-mailing, chatting, surfing the Internet)

Children: 2

Children: average day

Children: categorical (none, <1 h/day, 1-2 h/day, 3-4 h/day, 5-6 h/day, ≥ 7 h/day)

Youth:

1. Leisure computer

2. Leisure video games

3. Leisure television/videos

4. Leisure reading

Youth: 4

Youth: typical week, past 3-months

Youth: categorical (none, < 1 h/week, 1-2 h/week, 3-5 h/week, 6-10 h/week, 11-14 h/week, 15-20 h/week, > 20 h/week)

2015

6–17 years

Total screen time (television, video games, computer, hand-held devices)

1

Average day, single day

Continuous (hours)

Canadian Community Health Survey – Aging

2008–2009

≥ 45 years

Interview-led, personal interviews that were computer-assisted and assessed by phone

Total sitting time (e.g., reading, watching television, computer activities or doing handicrafts) – based on Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly

3

Past 7 days

Categorical (including types of sitting and quantity)

Occupational

1

Usual day, single day

Categorical (including “usually sitting”)

Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS)

2007–2009 (Cycle 1)

Children: 3-11 years (proxy) - note: for 2007-2009 Cycle 1, children includes ages 6-11 years only.

Youth/adults: 12–79 years

The survey excludes residents of Indian Reserves, the territories, institutions, certain remote regions, and full-time members of the Canadian Forces.

Interview-led, personal interviews that were computer-assisted and assessed by phone

Children:

1. Total sedentary time (accelerometer)

2. Total television or videos or video games

3. Total computer use

Youth/adults:

1. Total sedentary time (accelerometer)

2. Leisure computer (incl. tablet)

3. Leisure video + console games

4. Leisure television (incl. DVDs, videos)

5. Leisure reading (paper-based)

Children: 2

Youth/adults: 4

Children: average day, single day

Youth/adults: typical week, past 3-months

Children: categorical (0 h/day, < 1 h/day, 1–2 h/day, 3–4 h/day, 5–6 h/day, ≥ 7 h/day)

Youth/adults:

categorical (none, < 1 h/week, 1-2 h/week, 3-5 h/week, 6-10 h/week, 11-14 h/week, 15-20 h/week, > 20 h/week)

2009–2011 (Cycle 2)

Children:

1. Total sedentary time (accelerometer)

2. Total television or videos or video games

3. Total computer use

Youth/adults:

1. Total sedentary time (accelerometer)

2. Leisure computer (incl. tablet)

3. Leisure video + console games

4. Leisure television (incl. DVDs, videos)

5. Leisure reading (paper-based)

Children: categorical

(0 h/day, < 1 h/day, 1–2 h/day, 3–4 h/day, 5–6 h/day, ≥ 7 h/day)

Youth/adults:

continuous

2012–2013 (Cycle 3), 2014–2015 (Cycle 4)

Children:

1. Total sedentary time (accelerometer)

2. Total television or videos or video games

3. Total computer use

Youth/adults:

1. Total sedentary time (accelerometer)

2. Total self-reported sitting time (IPAQ) in Cycle 3 only

3. Leisure computer (incl. tablet)

4. Leisure video + console games (Cycles 3 + 4 includes passive only)

5. Leisure television (incl. DVDs, videos)

6. Leisure reading (paper + eBooks, does not include reading on computer or Internet)

Children: categorical

(0 h/day, < 1 h/day, 1 to < 3 h/day, 3 to < 5 h/day, 5 to < 7 h/day, ≥ 7 h/day)

Youth/adults:

continuous

2016–2017 (Cycle 5),

ongoing

Children:

1. Total sedentary time (accelerometer)

2. Total screen time (television/game console/computer/hand-held devices)

Youth/adults:

1. Total sedentary time (accelerometer)

2. Free time computer (incl. tablet, smartphone)

3. Free time video + computer games

4. Free time television (incl. DVDs, movies, internet videos)

5. Free time reading (paper + electronic formats, excludes reading on a computer, tablet or Internet)

Children: 1

Youth/adults: 4

Children: average day, single day

Youth/adults: past 7 days

Children: continuous

Youth/adults: continuous

Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY)

2016 (pilot), ongoing

1–17 years

Self-administration on-line

1. Homework (outside of class)

2. Reading

3. Social media use (Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest)

4. Television (movies, videos, YouTube, television shows)

5. Video games

6. Any electronic device while sitting

7. Transportation mode (including passive)

20 (several multi-part questions)

Past 7 days, daily average

1–6: categorical, 7: continuous

Canadian Internet Use Survey (formerly Household Internet Use Survey)

1999

≥ 16 years

Electronic questionnaire or computer-assisted telephone interview

Internet use (frequency & amount)

2

Typical month

Categorical

2000

Internet use (frequency & amount)

4

2001, 2002, 2003

Internet use (frequency & amount)

5

2005, 2007, 2009

Internet use (frequency & amount)

4

Typical month & typical week

2010, 2012

Internet use (frequency & amount)

3

Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)

2011 – ongoing

≥ 45 years

Interview-led, personal interviews that were computer-assisted and assessed by phone

Sedentary activities including: games, computer activities, crossword/puzzles, crafts, listening to music, playing musical instruments, reading, visiting with others, watching television, other

3

Average day in past 7 days

Categorical

General Social Survey – Time Use Survey (GSS)

1986, 1992, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2015, ongoing

≥ 15 years

Living in private households in 10 provinces

Interview-led, personal interviews that were computer-assisted and assessed by phone

Activity recall over 24-h. Derived variables include:

1. Passive travel (car + bicycle + taxi + boat/ferry + airplane)

2. Watching television or videos

3. Reading (online or paper)

Note, the GSS also asks sedentary behaviour related questions on other years of the survey.

N/A – diary

24-h period

Categorical selection of activity, continuous duration

Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study

1990, 1994, 1998

Grades 6 to 10 (8 & 10 in 1994)

Self-administration in-person

1. Daily television watching

2. Weekly VCR movies

3. Weekly computer games (including arcade, game consoles)

3

Usual weekday and weekend day

1990, 1994, 1998:

Television - categorical (none, < 0.5 h/day, 0.5-1 h/day, 2-3 h/day, 4 h/day, > 4 h/day) VCR movies and computer games - categorical (none, < 1 h/week, 1-3 h/week, 4-6 h/week, 7-9 h/week, ≥ 10 h/week)

2002, 2006, 2010, 2014:

Categorical (none, ~0.5 h/day, ~1 h/day, ~2 h/day, ~3 h/day, ~4 h/day, ~5 h/day, ~6 h/day, ~7 or more h/day)

2002

Grades 6 to 10

1. Free time daily television (including videos)

2. Daily homework

3. Free time daily computer use (playing games, emailing, chatting, surfing Internet)

6 (3 x weekday, 3 x weekend day)

2006, 2010

1. Free time daily television (including videos & DVDs)

2. Free time video games on computer or games console

3. Free time computer (chatting on-line, Internet, emailing, homework)

6 (3 x weekday, 3 x weekend day)

2014, ongoing

1. Free time daily television (including videos, DVDs, YouTube or other entertainment on screen)

2. Free time games on computer, games console, tablet, smartphone or other electronic device (not including active games)

3. Free time electronic device (computers, tablets, smartphones) use for other purposes (e.g., homework, emailing, tweeting, social media, chatting, surfing the internet)

6 (3 x weekday, 3 x weekend day)

Health Promotion Survey

1985

≥ 15 years

Interview-led, personal interviews, computer-assisted and assessed by phone

1. Passive travel passenger (distance travelled)

2. Passive travel driver

2

Average

Continuous (distance travelled)

1990

Daily activities

1

Usual

Categorical with “You sit during the day and do not walk about very much”

Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health (JCUSH)

2002–2003

≥ 8 years

Interview-led, personal interviews, computer-assisted and assessed by phone

Daily activities or work habits

1

Past 3 months

Categorical with “Usually sit during the day and don’t walk around very much”

National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY)

1994–1995, 1996–1997

Proxy: 0–9 years

Self-reported: ≥ 10–11 year olds

Interviewer-administered in-person with computer-assisted interview

Proxy

1. Leisure computer or video games

2. Leisure television or videos

3. Leisure reading (by adult and child)

4. Homework

Self-report

1. Leisure computer or video games

2. Leisure television

3. Leisure reading

Proxy: variable

Self-report: variable

Variable

Proxy: mix of categorical and continuous

Self-report: mix of categorical and continuous

1998–1999

Proxy: 0–9 years

Self-reported: ≥ 10–11 year olds

Proxy

1. Leisure television or videos

2. Leisure reading (by adult and child)

3. Homework

4. Writing

Self-report

1. Leisure computer or video games

2. Leisure television

3. Leisure reading

2000–2001

Proxy: 0–9 years

Self-reported: ≥ 10–11 year olds

Proxy

1. Leisure computer

2. Leisure reading (by adult and child)

Self-report youth (age dependent)

1. Homework

2. Transportation mode

3. Computer or video games

4. Leisure writing

5. Leisure reading

6. Television and videos

2002–2003, 2004–2005

Proxy: 0–9 years

Self-reported: ≥ 10–11 year olds

Proxy

1. Leisure computer

2. Leisure reading (by adult and child)

3. Leisure television or videos

Self-report youth (age dependent)

1. Computer use

2. Internet use

3. Leisure writing

4. Leisure reading

television, videos or video games

2006–2007, 2008–2009

Proxy: 0–9 years

Self-reported: ≥ 10–11 year olds

Proxy

1. Leisure computer

2. Leisure reading (by adult and child)

3. Leisure television, videos or video games

Self-report youth (age dependent)

1. Computer use

2. Internet use

3. Leisure writing

4. Leisure reading

5. Television, videos or video games

National Population Health Survey (NPHS)

Cross-sectional & longitudinal: 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 1998–1999

Longitudinal only: 2000–2001, 2002–2003, 2004–2005, 2006–2007, 2008–2009, 2010–2011

All ages (only those ≥ 12 years asked sedentary questions)

Cycle 1: Interviewer-administered in-person with computer-assisted interviewing

1. Daily activities or work habits

 

Usual day over past 3 months

Categorical with “Usually sit during day and do not walk about very much” response option

Cycle 2+: Interview-led, personal interviews, computer-assisted and assessed by phone

National Household Survey (NHS)

2014

Children: 4–11 years

Youth: 12–17 years

Self-administration in-person or on-line

1. Television, movies or videos (including YouTube)

2. Leisure computer, tablet, smartphone, video games

2

Past 7 days, average single day

Categorical

Survey of Young Canadians – Child

2010–2011

1–9 years

Interview-led, personal interviews, computer-assisted and assessed by phone

1. Leisure computer use

2. Television, videos or video games

3. Leisure reading

4

On average, single day

Categorical

Youth Smoking Survey

2002

Grades 5–9

Self-administration in-person

1. Computer or video games

2. Television or videos

3. Leisure reading

3

Computer and video games: last 12 months

Television and reading: average day

Categorical

  1. aTime spent playing video games was not consistently assessed in all age groups; from 2000 to 2001 to 2008 the questions were only asked to those under the age of 20, in 2009 and 2010 the questions were asked only to those under 25, whereas from 2011 to 2016 the questions were asked to all respondents