Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate Chinese pediatricians' familiarity with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on children's physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep, and to assess their knowledge of recommendations, clinical practices in advising children and caregivers, and factors influencing awareness and implementation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 354 pediatricians across 9 provinces in China. The questionnaire collected demographic information; assessed awareness of WHO guidelines; evaluated knowledge of age-specific recommendations for PA, SB, and sleep duration; and examined clinical practices in providing guidance to children and caregivers. Only 25.4% of participants were familiar with the WHO guidelines, and merely 9.3% correctly identified the guidelines' release date. Knowledge accuracy regarding age-specific recommendations for PA, SB, and sleep duration varied across different age groups. However, the majority of participants (85.9%) reported routinely providing PA guidance to children and caregivers in clinical practice. Further analysis identified associations between participants' awareness/practices and factors such as years of practice and professional title. While pediatricians demonstrate active engagement in advising children and caregivers on health-promoting behaviors, their awareness of the WHO guidelines needs improvement. Strengthening training and education for pediatricians could enhance their understanding and application of evidence-based guidelines, thereby better supporting child health outcomes.