Physical activity and screen time in children who survived cancer: A report from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

Background: Physical activity (PA) can reduce the risk of chronic adverse health conditions in childhood cancer survivors. We examined PA and sedentary screen time behavior in a nationwide study in Switzerland.

Procedures: The Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study sent questionnaires to parents of all Swiss resident ≥5-year survivors diagnosed between 1995 and 2010. We assessed PA including compulsory school sport, recreational sport, commuting to school, and time spent with screen media in those aged 5-15 years, and compared results with international recommendations.

Results: We included 766 survivors with a median age at diagnosis of 2.8 (interquartile range 1.4-5.0) years and a median age at study of 12.5 (10.0-14.3) years. Median PA time was 7.3 (4.8-10.0) h/week and median screen time was 82 (45-120) min/day. Compulsory school sport hours and walking or cycling to school contributed significantly to total PA. Note that 55% of survivors met PA and 68% screen time recommendations. PA was lower for children living in regions of Switzerland speaking French or Italian compared to German, and for those who had a relapse or musculoskeletal/neurological conditions. Screen time was higher in males, children with lower parental education, and a migration background.

Conclusions: PA and sedentary screen watching were associated with social factors, and PA also with clinical risk factors. Structural preventions that afford active commuting to school and sufficient school sport are essential, as is counseling vulnerable survivor groups such as those with musculoskeletal and neurological problems, and those who have had a relapse.