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Publications

Journal Article Ppublish

PubMed: 42621419 DOI: 10.1016/j.jesf.2026.200507

24-hour movement behaviors and internalizing and externalizing problems among Japanese preschool children: A compositional data analysis.

J Exerc Sci Fit 24(4):200507

Authors: Pin Zhang, Jiameng Ma, Zan Huang, Cain C T Clark, Sitong Chen, Hyunshik Kim

Affiliations

  • Krirk University, Bangkok, 10220, Thailand.
  • Faculty of Sports Science, Sendai University, Miyagi, 9891693, Japan.
  • School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China.
  • School of Life and Health Sciences, Birmingham City University, B15 3TN, UK.
  • Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Because 24-h movement behaviors share a finite time budget, treating them as independent exposures may obscure their joint associations with mental health. This study examined associations of the 24-h movement behavior composition with internalizing and externalizing problem scores among Japanese preschool children using compositional data analysis (CoDA) and compositional isotemporal substitution.

METHODS

A total of 469 Japanese preschool children aged 3-5 years wore a triaxial accelerometer (Active Style Pro HJA-750C) to assess sedentary behavior (SB), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Nighttime sleep duration and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire outcomes were assessed by parent report. Isometric log-ratio regression and compositional isotemporal substitution models were adjusted for age, sex, and continuous body mass index.

RESULTS

A greater relative allocation to MVPA, compared with the geometric mean of sleep, SB, and LPA, was associated with a lower internalizing problem score (unstandardized B = -1.25, 95% confidence interval, -2.40 to -0.10; p = 0.03). No first-pivot estimate was statistically significant for externalizing problem scores. In model-based 15-min/day reallocation scenarios, reallocating time from SB to MVPA corresponded to a 0.27-point lower predicted internalizing score, whereas the reverse reallocation corresponded to a 0.36-point higher score. Similar inverse associations were observed in the full-sample waking-time composition and residual-adjusted models, but not in the residual-restricted samples.

CONCLUSION

These cross-sectional findings indicate that a greater relative allocation of time to MVPA was associated with lower internalizing problem scores, but they do not establish a protective or causal effect.

MeSH

Exercise, Sleep, Child, Preschool, Data Analysis, Movement, Child