2019 MatCH Update

Welcome to the 2019 update on the Mothers and their Children's Health (MatCH) study.

Thank you for taking part in the Mothers and their Children's Health study. It's time once again for us to share an update on how your family's data is helping to reveal the relationships between children, their mothers, and their environments.

2019 was a busy year with research based on your data making headlines around the world. Our research on whether kids are meeting screen time guidelines sparked debate in over 140 different TV, newspaper, radio and online news outlets - including ABC radio and the Channel 9, Channel 10 and SBS news. Research on which types of play equipment gets kids up and moving also made headlines around the world including these pieces in the The Sydney Morning Herald and Hindustan Times.

    Researchers from the University of Queensland and University of Newcastle continue to analyse your survey responses and plan to publish more findings on a range of topics in 2020, including:

    • Breastfeeding
    • Childhood asthma
    • Healthy and unhealthy eating
    • Preconception health
    • The impact of environmental exposures (green space, ambient air pollution, noise pollution), on children's health and behaviour
    • The impact of maternal mental health on children's health and behaviour

    In this update we're including a taste of the research published in the past year on screen time, play equipment and physical activity.

    The right stuff:

    the play equipment that gets kids moving

    Child swinging enthusiastically on playground

    In Australia, only 20% of kids aged 5-17 meet physical activity guidelines, (i.e. 1 hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity)

    *Results From Australia’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Journal of Physical Activity and Health.

    MatCH researchers looked at the amount of physical activity kids did, and the type of play equipment in the home.

    Here is what they found:

    On average, kids only did the recommended amount of physical activity on 4 our of 7 days.
    On average, kids only did the recommended amount of physical activity on 4 our of 7 days.
    Kids had different combinations of equipment at home, which included: portable active (like bats and balls); fixed active (like slides and swings); and electronic (like tables and phones).
    Kids had different combinations of equipment at home, which included: portable active (like bats and balls); fixed active (like slides and swings); and electronic (like tables and phones).

    Four distinct groups were identified:

    'Plenties' had the most active equipment (8 types), and a medium amount of electronic equipment.
    'Plenties' had the most active equipment (8 types), and a medium amount of electronic equipment.
    'Plenties' had the most active equipment (8 types), and a medium amount of electronic equipment.
    'Plenties' were the most physically active (meeting the guidelines on 4.2 days per week on average).
    'Plenties' were the most physically active (meeting the guidelines on 4.2 days per week on average).
    'Sliders' had 6 types of active equipment (mostly fixed), and 1 type of electronic.
    'Sliders' had 6 types of active equipment (mostly fixed), and 1 type of electronic.
    'Sliders' physical activity was about the same as 'plenties' (meeting guidelines 4 days/week). This means kids can be just as active with less equipment, if it includes fixed equipment.
    'Sliders' physical activity was about the same as 'plenties' (meeting guidelines 4 days/week). This means kids can be just as active with less equipment, if it includes fixed equipment.
    'Batters' had 5 types of active equipment (mostly portable) and 2 types of electronic.
    'Batters' had 5 types of active equipment (mostly portable) and 2 types of electronic.
    'Batters' seemed to do the least amount of physical activity, meeting the guidelines 3.6 days per week.
    'Batters' seemed to do the least amount of physical activity, meeting the guidelines 3.6 days per week.
    'Techies' had 7 types of active equipment (mostly portable) and 4 types of electronic.
    'Techies' had 7 types of active equipment (mostly portable) and 4 types of electronic.
    'Techies' had almost the same amount of equipment as the 'Plenties' (i.e. the most), but their physical activity was the same as the Batters (i.e. the lowest, meeting the guidelines 3.6 days/week). This seems to be because of their access to mostly portable play equipment and double amount of electronic.
    'Techies' had almost the same amount of equipment as the 'Plenties' (i.e. the most), but their physical activity was the same as the Batters (i.e. the lowest, meeting the guidelines 3.6 days/week). This seems to be because of their access to mostly portable play equipment and double amount of electronic.
    Kids who met the physical activity guidelines on more days per week seemed to have more access to active fixed equipment. While kids who were meeting the guidelines less, had more access to electronic equipment.
    Kids who met the physical activity guidelines on more days per week seemed to have more access to active fixed equipment. While kids who were meeting the guidelines less, had more access to electronic equipment.

    The right stuff

    Higher physical activity wasn’t about having the most play equipment, it was about having access to the right combination of equipment:

    "The right stuff."

    The kids who were more physically active had access to more fixed equipment (like swings, slides, climbing equipment) and less electronic equipment (such as computers or mobiles).

    How can we make environments that support children’s health and development and encourage physical activity?

    In addition to bikes and balls, fixed equipment might get kids moving more than portable equipment.

    It’s also important to try and limit access to electronics.

    If you’re living in an apartment or a property with a smaller yard or can’t afford bigger, fixed play equipment, you can take advantage of parks and community spaces made for kids and families. As city yards get smaller it’s increasingly important for councils and developers to include play spaces for kids that encourage physical activity.

    Image of children and parents playing in a large park with fixed equipment. Image effect is blurred.

    Screen time

    Child sitting in an office chair in their bedroom using a tablet while laptop and phone are both sitting on the desk.

    For many, screens have become an essential part of life.

    For young children however, excessive screen time can mean missing out on play and exploration that is needed in early development.

    The Australian 24 Hour Movement Guidelines were released in 2017. They recommend the following amount of screen time for kids:

    Screen time guidelines suggest no daily screen time for kids up to two years; no more than 1 hour per day for kids between ages 2 and 5; and no more than 2 hours per day for kids between 5 and 17

    The guidelines are a useful tool for parents, but keep in mind that they didn’t exist in 2016-17 when you did the MatCH survey.

    The MatCH survey asked mothers:

    “Over the past month, about how much screen time has your child had per day on weekdays and weekends?”

    Screen time = recreational (non-school related) time spent watching or using tablets, televisions, computers, mobile phones and electronic games.

    Our researchers found:

    Up to 66% of children aged 2 or younger were engaging in screen time.
    Up to 66% of children aged 2 or younger were engaging in screen time.
    At 12 months, average screen time was 50 minutes per day during the week, and 58 minutes per day on weekends.
    At 12 months, average screen time was 50 minutes per day during the week, and 58 minutes per day on weekends.
    By two years, it was 91 minutes per day during the week and 105 minutes per day on weekends
    By two years, it was 91 minutes per day during the week and 105 minutes per day on weekends
    Average daily screen time was consistently longer on weekends and steadily increased with age.
    Average daily screen time was consistently longer on weekends and steadily increased with age.
    Average weekday screen time between 5 and 12 years was within guidelines, probably because of (pre)school attendance.
    Average weekday screen time between 5 and 12 years was within guidelines, probably because of (pre)school attendance.
    However, screen time on weekend days was still above the guidelines. Two hours and 16 minutes per day at age six and three hours and eight minutes per day at age 12.
    However, screen time on weekend days was still above the guidelines. Two hours and 16 minutes per day at age six and three hours and eight minutes per day at age 12.

    This is the first study of Australian children (aged 0 to 12) to compare screen time against national guidelines.

    The purpose of this research was not to shame parents, but to raise awareness of guidelines for screen time.

    Screens have become an integral part of daily life. Research is still lacking on how screen time can harm or help children’s development, although we’re planning to look at this in one of our next papers. In the meantime, keeping screen time within the guideline gives children more opportunities to develop their skills through physical activity and creativity.

    Read more on family media plans
    Or make your own screen time plan here

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