Preterm Kids and Siblings Share the Same Habits

Scientists in Zurich, Switzerland studied a group of children and teenagers. Some were born very early, before 32 weeks of pregnancy. There were 482 of these children. The study also included 149 brothers and sisters who were born full-term. Everyone was between 5 and 16 years old. This was a survey done at one point in time.

The team wanted to learn about daily movement and screen use. They checked if kids moved for at least one hour each day. They also checked if screen time stayed under two hours daily. Researchers looked at age, gender, and family background to see patterns. They used math tools and a sorting method to find links.

Children born early moved about the same amount as their full-term siblings. But only one in three children met the exercise goal. Both groups were less active than other kids in the general population. Breathing problems or ongoing health conditions did not explain the low activity. No clear factors stood out for physical activity.

Screen time looked similar for both groups as well. Teenagers spent more time on screens than younger children, no matter their birth history. Family income and social status seemed linked to screen habits. Age and money mattered more for screens than for exercise.

Health experts suggest that all kids follow activity and screen guidelines. Families might wonder what steps work best in their own homes. Small daily changes could lead to better habits over time. Researchers did not test which changes work best, so more questions remain.