Does screen time increase obesity in children?

Introduction

The relationship between screen time and obesity in children has been a topic of significant research interest. With the increasing prevalence of digital devices, understanding how screen time impacts childhood obesity is crucial for developing effective public health interventions.

Key Insights

Increased Screen Time and Obesity Risk:
- Children who engage in more than 2 hours of screen time per day have a higher risk of being overweight or obese compared to those with less screen time .
- Screen time is positively associated with indicators of adiposity such as BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference.
Mechanisms Linking Screen Time to Obesity:
- Increased screen time leads to higher dietary intake, often of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, due to eating while viewing and exposure to food marketing .
- Screen time is associated with reduced physical activity and sleep duration, both of which contribute to weight gain .
Sociodemographic Factors:
- Boys, children with lower maternal education, and those who are already overweight or obese are more likely to exceed recommended screen time limits.
- Having a television in the bedroom is strongly associated with both increased screen time and higher obesity rates.
Interventions and Effectiveness:
- Interventions aimed at reducing screen time have shown small but statistically significant reductions in screen time and associated weight gain in children.
- There is potential for using interactive media to promote healthier eating and physical activity behaviors to combat obesity.

Conclusion

The evidence consistently indicates that increased screen time is a significant risk factor for obesity in children. This relationship is mediated by increased caloric intake, reduced physical activity, and shorter sleep duration. Sociodemographic factors such as gender, maternal education, and existing weight status also play a role in screen time habits and obesity risk. Interventions to reduce screen time can be effective, though their impact is generally modest. Reducing screen time and promoting healthier lifestyle choices are essential strategies for addressing childhood obesity.

Does screen time increase obesity in children?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Screen time and childhood overweight/obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Increasing screen time may be a risk factor for overweight/obesity in children and adolescents.

Screen Media Exposure and Obesity in Children and Adolescents

Screen media exposure in children and adolescents increases obesity risks through increased eating while viewing, exposure to high-calorie, low-nutrient food and beverage marketing, and reduced sleep duration.

Screen time and adiposity among children and adolescents: a systematic review

Reducing screen time and replacing it with active pursuits, increased sleep duration, and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors could help reduce the risk of overweight or obesity in children and adolescents.

Prevalence and correlates of screen time in youth: an international perspective.

Screen time in excess of 2 hours/day is highly prevalent in children aged 4-17, particularly among boys, overweight or obese individuals, and those with lower educational attainment.

The association of screen time, television in the bedroom, and obesity among school-aged youth: 2007 National Survey of Children's Health.

Excessive screen time and having a TV in the bedroom are strongly associated with obesity in school-aged youth.

The non-advertising effects of screen-based sedentary activities on acute eating behaviours in children, adolescents, and young adults. A systematic review

Non-advertising screen time in children, adolescents, and young adults is associated with increased dietary intake, potentially due to distraction, interruption of food regulation, and stress-induced reward systems.

A Meta-analysis of Interventions That Target Children's Screen Time for Reduction

Interventions to reduce children's screen time have a small but statistically significant effect on reducing obesity risk.

1988-P: Association between Screen Time Including Smartphone Use and Obesity and Its Associated Lifestyles in School Children in Japan

Increased screen time, including smartphone use, is associated with unfavorable lifestyles and dietary habits, potentially contributing to obesity in school children in Japan.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SCREEN TIME AND OBESITY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: narrative review

Increased screen time in children and adolescents, along with poor eating habits and reduced physical activity, is an important factor in the occurrence of obesity.

Screen-time, obesity, ageing and disability: findings from 91 266 participants in the 45 and Up Study

Increased screen-time increases obesity risk, but this effect is attenuated in full-time workers and disabled individuals.

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