Researchers in Australia studied how much time rural and regional children spend exercising, moving around, sitting down, and sleeping. They tracked 1,264 children aged 9-12 years using special wristbands that measured activity and asked kids about screen time. The results showed that only about 1 in 5 boys and 1 in 6 girls were doing enough physical activity, limiting screen time, and getting enough sleep all at the same time. Older kids were less active than younger kids, and boys were more active than girls. The study suggests that rural communities need better programs to help kids move more and spend less time on screens.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How many rural and regional Australian children are following healthy movement guidelines that recommend a mix of exercise, light activity, limited screen time, and good sleep.
  • Who participated: 1,264 children aged about 9-12 years old from regional and rural areas in Victoria, Australia. The study included both boys and girls from different neighborhoods and family backgrounds.
  • Key finding: Only 22% of boys and 16% of girls were meeting all three movement guidelines. Meanwhile, 11% of boys and 9% of girls weren’t meeting any of the guidelines. Older kids (11-12 years) were significantly less active and spent more time sitting than younger kids (9-10 years).
  • What it means for you: If you live in a rural area with kids, this research suggests that most children aren’t getting enough physical activity or managing screen time well. The good news is that this is a fixable problem with community programs and family support. However, remember that individual situations vary, and you should talk to your doctor about what’s right for your child.

The Research Details

This was an observational study, meaning researchers watched and measured what children were actually doing rather than testing a new program. They used data from a larger health project called RESPOND that was already happening in rural Victoria. Children wore special wristbands (accelerometers) for a full week that tracked their movement 24 hours a day. The wristbands could tell the difference between vigorous exercise, light movement, sitting time, and sleep. Kids also reported how much time they spent on screens like phones, tablets, and computers. Researchers then looked at whether children were following Australia’s official movement guidelines, which recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise daily, limited screen time, and 8-10 hours of sleep.

Using wristbands to measure activity is much more accurate than just asking kids to remember what they did. This method catches all the movement throughout the day, not just organized sports. By studying rural kids specifically, researchers could see if guidelines work the same way for children who don’t have as many gyms or activity programs nearby as city kids do.

This study is reliable because it used objective measurement tools (wristbands) rather than relying only on memory. The large sample size of over 1,200 children makes the results more trustworthy. The researchers also accounted for school-level differences and looked at results separately by gender and location. However, the study only looked at one region of Australia, so results might be different in other areas. The study was observational, so it shows what’s happening but can’t prove that one thing causes another.

What the Results Show

The study found that very few rural children are meeting all the movement guidelines at once. Only about 1 in 5 boys (22%) and 1 in 6 girls (16%) were doing enough exercise, limiting screens, and sleeping enough all together. On the flip side, about 1 in 9 boys and 1 in 11 girls weren’t meeting any of the guidelines. Boys were doing more vigorous exercise than girls, but girls were doing more light activity like walking. As children got older, from grade 4 (age 9-10) to grade 6 (age 11-12), they became noticeably less active. Sixth graders were doing about 8 fewer minutes of vigorous exercise per day and sitting about 30 minutes more per day than fourth graders. They were also less likely to be following screen time limits.

Where kids lived made a difference. Boys living in medium or large rural towns were more active than boys in regional centers. Girls living in towns were better at limiting screen time than girls in regional centers. Children who spoke a language other than English at home were getting about 21 minutes less sleep per night, which is concerning. For girls, family income level mattered for screen time—girls from higher-income families were better at limiting screens. These differences suggest that location, language, and family resources all play a role in how active kids are.

This study adds important information because most previous research on movement guidelines focused on city children. By studying rural kids specifically, it shows that rural children face different challenges. The low rates of meeting guidelines are consistent with other research showing that many children worldwide aren’t active enough. The finding that activity decreases with age matches what other studies have found. The gender differences, with boys being more active in vigorous exercise and girls doing more light activity, also matches patterns seen in other countries.

The study only looked at children in one region of Australia, so the results might not apply to rural kids in other countries or even other parts of Australia. The study measured what kids were doing at one point in time, so we don’t know if these patterns stay the same throughout the year or if they change over time. Screen time was self-reported by kids, which means they might not remember accurately. The study shows what’s happening but can’t prove that one thing causes another—for example, we can’t say that living in a town causes kids to be more active, only that they tend to be.

The Bottom Line

Parents and schools in rural areas should work together to help kids get at least 60 minutes of exercise daily, limit screen time to 1-2 hours of quality content, and ensure 8-10 hours of sleep. Start small with changes that fit your family’s life. Encourage both vigorous activities (like running or sports) and light activities (like walking or playing). This research has moderate confidence because it measured real activity with accurate tools, though it only looked at one region. Talk with your child’s doctor about what goals make sense for your family.

Parents and guardians of rural children should pay attention to this research. Teachers and school administrators in rural areas can use this to plan better activity programs. Healthcare providers working with rural families should discuss movement guidelines. This research is less directly relevant to city families, though the principles apply everywhere. Children with disabilities or health conditions may need different approaches—always check with a doctor.

Changes in activity levels usually take 2-4 weeks to become habits. You might notice improved sleep and mood within days of increasing activity. Better fitness and weight changes typically take 8-12 weeks of consistent effort. The key is making small, sustainable changes rather than trying to change everything at once.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise (like running, sports, or fast biking), light activity (like walking or casual play), screen time, and sleep hours. Set a goal of 60 minutes exercise, 2+ hours light activity, under 2 hours screens, and 8-10 hours sleep. Log these daily to see patterns.
  • Start with one small change: either add a 15-minute walk after school, set a screen time limit for one hour per day, or move bedtime 15 minutes earlier. Once that feels normal (about 2-3 weeks), add another change. Use the app to celebrate small wins and track progress.
  • Check your weekly totals every Sunday to see if you’re hitting targets. Notice which days are hardest and plan ahead. Share progress with family members to stay motivated. Every month, review trends to see what’s working. Adjust goals based on what’s realistic for your family’s schedule.

This research describes patterns in rural Australian children and should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The findings are observational and cannot prove cause-and-effect relationships. Individual children have different needs based on age, health status, and abilities. Always consult with your child’s healthcare provider before making significant changes to activity levels, especially if your child has any health conditions, disabilities, or takes medications. This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice.