Physical activity patterns of children and adolescents with Down syndrome: Using the Fitbit and parental proxy questionnaire

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess physical activity (PA) levels in children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) using a commercially available activity tracker (Fitbit) and a parental proxy questionnaire.

Design and methods

This cross-sectional study included two groups of individuals with DS (school-age children and adolescents) and one parent per child/adolescent. The school-age children and adolescents with DS wore the Fitbit for seven consecutive days. Parents completed the parental proxy questionnaire on the seventh day. Weekday and weekend PA levels for the two groups of individuals with DS were compared. In addition, PA levels obtained with the Fitbit were compared to parental responses.

Results

Complete data sets were available for 32 child-parent dyads. Sedentary time was higher for the adolescent group (p = .022), while light PA time was lower (p = .020). All measured PA patterns, excluding sedentary behavior, decreased on weekends in both groups: steps (p = .002), light PA time (p = .028), and moderate-to-vigorous PA time (p = .004). Parental proxy questionnaires underestimated actual PA levels.

Conclusions

PA was lower in the adolescent group and during the weekend for both groups.

Practice implications

Findings from this study suggest a need for tailored programs designed to increase weekend PA levels in school-age children and adolescents with DS in pediatric nursing research. The use of commercial activity trackers, such as the Fitbit, which are user-friendly and relatively affordable, is effective for pediatric nurses to monitor PA levels of children and adolescents with DS in clinical settings.