The Effect of Screen Time, Period and Maternal Education Level on the Development of Obesity in Adolescents

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The recent increase in childhood obesity has reached severe levels. High screen exposure times are one of the factors contributing to the development of obesity. However, it additional parameters that could have a role were not adequately examined in the clinical sample. METHODS: The research sample consisted of 51 adolescents with obesity and 49 healthy controls aged 11-17 years who applied to Pediatric Endocrinology Department. Participants were asked to fill in the sociodemographic data form and the screen use questionnaire prepared by the researchers. RESULTS: In obese patients, the age of first exposure to television was earlier (median: 1), average daily television watching time (median: 2.5,) and total screen exposure time (mean: 5.8). After adjustment in the regression analysis, mother's educational status, the child's age at first exposure to television, and the total screen exposure were found significant. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The age at which children are first exposed to television, the education level of the mother and the duration of total screen exposure are among the important determinants of obesity risk.

Keywords

• obesity
• adolescent
• screen time
• maternal education
• television