Association between screen time and obesity in US adolescents: A cross-sectional analysis using National Survey of Children's Health 2016-2017.

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study examines the association between time spent watching TV, playing video games, using a computer or handheld device (screen time), and BMI among U.S. adolescents, and potential effect modification of these associations by sex, sleep duration, and physical activity.MethodsA secondary analysis of 10-17-year-old participants in the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between parent-reported screen time and BMI categories and effect modification by sex, sleep duration and physical activity.ResultsThe analysis included 29,480 adolescents (49.4% female). Those with ≥1 hour (vs ConclusionWatching TV or playing video games for ≥1 hour per day is associated with obesity in adolescents who did not meet the guidelines for physical activity. Using computers or handheld devices seems to have a weaker association with BMI compared with TV/video games.