Factors associated with screen time among school-age children in Korea

Factors Associated With Screen Time Among Preschool Children in Lima, Peru

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify factors associated with excessive screen time among preschoolers in Lima, Peru.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis from a 2019 panel study in Lima, Peru, was conducted focusing on women, aged 18 and above, who are mothers of 3- to 5-year-olds in mid-high and mid-low districts. There were two outcome variables: excessive TV and excessive electronic devices screen time, defined as ≥ 1 h of screen exposure for each one. Explored factors included the mother's age, education and wealth index and the children's age, sex, physical activity, day care attendance and ultra-processed food consumption. Crude (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were estimated for the association between associated factors and excessive screen time using the GLM Poisson of with a logarithmic link.

RESULTS

Excessive TV screen time and electronic devices prevalence was 74% and 36.9%, respectively. For TV screen time, a high wealth index (aPR 1.13; 95%CI: 1.03-1.23) and children's age (aPR 1.18; 95%CI: 1.08-1.29 for 4 years, PR = 1.17; 95%CI: 1.07-1.28 for 5 years) were significant. For electronic devices, significant associations included mothers with more than 3 children (aPR 0.77; 95%CI: 0.62-0.96), being single (aPR 1.27; 95%CI: 1.01-1.58) and a high wealth index (aPR 1.38; 95%CI: 1.13-1.68). Furthermore, significant associations were found between excessive electronic device screen time and consumption of candies and chocolates (aPR 1.38; 95%CI: 1.08-1.77).

CONCLUSIONS

Seven out of 10 preschool children exceeded the recommended television screen time. Certain characteristics of the children, their mothers and the family's socio-economic situation are related to excessive television screen time and excessive electronic device screen time.

Indian fathers' perceptions of young childcare and feeding - A qualitative study

The role of parents in fostering children's healthy habits is a robust area of research. However, most of the existing literature predominantly focuses on mothers' parenting practices. Given the emergence of nuclear, dual earning families and the recent surge in maternal employment in urban India, fathers' engagement in child rearing and feeding warrants attention. The purpose of this research was to document the views of Indian fathers about paternal parenting practices, with an emphasis on children's diet among other health behaviors. Thirty-three fathers of children aged 6-59 months from Kolkata, India took part in semi-structured interviews conducted either face-to-face or over Zoom/telephone in Hindi, Bengali, and English. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated to English. The transcribed data were subjected to thematic analysis informed by the Template Analysis technique. Themes were detected using the NVivo software program. Overall, these Indian fathers played an important role in early childhood care and feeding as reflected in the following seven themes: (i) Involvement of fathers in various childcare activities; (ii) Implementation of responsive and non-responsive feeding practices; (iii) Concerns regarding fussy and slow eating; (iv) Concerns regarding excessive screen time; (v) Paternal vs maternal parenting; (vi) Barriers to routine engagement of fathers in childcare; (vii) Desire for more nutrition and health knowledge. This enhanced understanding of paternal parenting behavior supports the inclusion of fathers in future family-focused lifestyle interventions aimed at improving children's health outcomes, including their dietary habits.

Determinants of unhealthy sleeping habits among Belgian university students: an application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Objectives: This study investigated if unhealthy sleeping habits of university students can be explained by the Theory of Planned Behavior. Method: An online questionnaire was administered to 1006 undergraduate students at a Belgian university to measure their frequency of irregular sleeping times, daytime napping, and pre-bedtime alcohol or internet use, as well as the attitudes, perceived norms, perceived control and intentions for these behaviors. Results: Principal Component Analysis and internal consistency analysis confirmed the validity and reliability of the scales measuring the TPB dimensions. Expected outcomes, perceived norms and perceived control significantly explained intentions to avoid irregular sleeping times, daytime naps, pre-bedtime activity and pre-bedtime alcohol use. Intentions and perceived behavioral control explained self-reported irregular sleeping times, daytime napping, pre-bedtime activity, and pre-bedtime alcohol use. Significant differences in predictions were found for gender, study program, type of residence and age. Conclusions: The TPB provides a useful theoretical framework to explain students' sleeping behaviors.

Dietary habits, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour of children of employed mothers: A systematic review

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Dietary pattern is poorer among children of employed mothers.

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Children of employed mothers are more physically active.

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Children of employed mothers experience greater prevalence of sedentary activity.

Since approximately 40% of the global workforce are women, a comprehensive understanding of association of maternal employment with child dietary patterns, physical activity and sedentary behaviour needs more focus. This systematic review aims to identify the association between maternal employment and dietary patterns (DP), physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) of children and adolescents (6 to 18 years). Searches were performed using electronic databases and manual searches. Peer reviewed journal articles, conference papers, theses at masters/doctoral levels in English were included. A total 42 studies met selection criteria, which indicated associations between maternal employment and at least one of the domains of interest: DP, PA and/or SB. Using individual samples of analysis, it was found that, 9 samples of DP, 11 samples of PA and 12 samples of SB were positively correlated with maternal employment, whereas 25 samples of DP, 5 samples of PA and 5 samples of SB showed an opposite association. Results suggest that PA and SB were positively related with maternal employment, whereas DP had an inverse relationship. Findings from this review provide evidence that children of employed mothers had poorer DP and greater prevalence of SB, however, their children are more physically active. Future interventions need to create a positive environment at the workplace and for families to support employed mothers and improve children’s dietary patterns and decrease sedentary behaviours. Future studies should prioritise the domains of DP, PA and SB that have been studied inadequately and have inconsistent results.

The Associated Factors of Prolonged Screen Time and Using Electronic Devices before Sleep among Elderly People in Shaanxi Province of China: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to investigate prolonged screen time and using electronic devices before sleep and their associated factors in elderly people in Shaanxi province of China. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 2647 elderly participants aged 60-88 years. Data were collected through questionnaires. Demographic characteristics, screen time, using electronic devices before sleep, health status, lifestyles, sleep quality, and other associated factors were investigated. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the associated factors of screen time and using electronic devices before sleep. The crude odds ratio (cOR) and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. A total of 1784 subjects completed the questionnaire. There were 6.89% participants with prolonged screen time and 13.45% using electronic devices before sleep frequently. Prolonged screen time was associated with personal monthly income (aOR = 1.205, p = 0.001), number of household residents (aOR = 0.860, p = 0.010), rural residents (aOR = 0.617, p = 0.038), and regular drinkers (aOR = 2.889, p < 0.001). Using electronic devices before sleep was associated with being female (aOR = 0.657, p = 0.007), family monthly income (aOR = 0.866, p = 0.002), being an occasional drinker (aOR = 1.891, p = 0.005), and self-reported sleep quality (aOR = 1.593, p = 0.007). In conclusion, several factors related to screen time or using electronic devices before sleep were identified. Only being a drinker was a common associated factor for both screen time and using electronic devices before sleep.

Screen Time and Cardiovascular Risks Among Middle-Aged Women

BACKGROUND

Screen time is a marker of sedentary behavior that threatens the health of women. Extended screen time is associated with depression, insomnia, cardiovascular disease, and decreased quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we examined the factors associated with screen time and whether screen time is associated with the physiological and psychosocial health of middle-aged women. We applied a psycho-socioeconomic biobehavioral model of health and studied the outcomes of cardiometabolic biomarkers, insomnia, and quality of life.

METHODS

Secondary data analysis was performed using data from a cross-sectional study conducted with 423 women between 40 and 65 years of age. Socioeconomic, physiological, psychosocial, and behavioral characteristics were measured. Self-reported screen time during the past week was measured using an ordinal scale. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance, analysis of covariance, and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-four percent of subjects had at least 3 hours per day of screen time on weekdays, whereas 30.7% had at least 3 hours per day on weekends. Older women, unemployed women, and those who do not perform regular exercise were more likely to have at least 3 hours per day of screen time (P < .05). Screen time was associated with total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, insomnia, and menopause-specific quality of life (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on a psycho-socioeconomic biobehavioral framework, we found that screen time is associated with the physiological and psychosocial health of women independent of socioeconomic and biobehavioral variables. Efforts to reduce the amount of screen time targeting middle-aged women will help improve cardiometabolic biomarkers and quality of life.

Socioeconomic inequality in screen time frequency in children and adolescents: the weight disorders survey of the CASPIAN IV study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the socioeconomic inequality and determinants of screen time (ST) frequency in Iranian children and adolescents.

METHODS

This nationwide study was conducted as part of a national school-based surveillance program among 36,486 students consisting of 50.79% boys and 74.23% urban inhabitants, aged 6-18 years, living in urban and rural areas of 30 provinces of Iran. Socioeconomic inequality in ST, including the time spent for ST, watching TV and leisure-time working with computer, was assessed across quintiles of SES using concentration index (C) and slope index of inequality (SII).

RESULTS

Overall, 36,486 students completed the study (response rate 91.25%). Their mean (SD) age was 12.14 (3.36) years. The national estimation of frequency of ST was 31.66% (95% CI 31.16-32.17) with ascending change from 20.80% (95% CI 19.81-21.82) to 36.66% (95% CI 35.47-37.87) from the first to the last quintal of SES. Estimated C value at national level was positive (0.08), which indicate inequality was in favor of low SES groups. Considering the SII values, at national level [- 0.16 (- 0.39, 0.06)], the absolute difference in ST frequency between the bottom and top of the socioeconomic groups had descending trends. In multivariate logistic regression model, family history of obesity, generalized obesity and age were the main significant determinants of prolonged ST, watching TV, and computer working (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Socioeconomic inequality in ST frequency was in favor of low SES groups. These findings are useful for health policies, better programming and future complementary analyses.

Factors Associated with Screen Time in Iranian Children and Adolescents: The CASPIAN-IV Study

BACKGROUND

Prolonged screen time is frequent in children and adolescents. Implementing interventions to reduce physical inactivity needs to assess related determinants. This study aims to assess factors associated with screen time in a national sample of children and adolescents.

METHODS

This nationwide study was conducted among 14,880 students aged 6-18 years. Data collection was performed using questionnaires and physical examination. The World Health Organization-Global School Health Survey questionnaire was used. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between demographic variables, socioeconomic status (SES), family structure, physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, body mass index, and mental distress with screen time.

RESULTS

The participation rate was 90.6% (n = 13,486), 50.8% were male, and 75.6% lived in urban areas. Mean (standard deviation) age of participants was 12.47 (3.36) years. The SES, eating junk foods, urban residence, and age had significant association with screen time, watching television (TV), and computer use (P < 0.05). With increasing number of children, the odds ratio of watching TV reduced (P < 0.001). Statistically, significant association existed between obesity and increased time spent watching TV (P < 0.001). Girls spent less likely to use computer and to have prolonged screen time (P < 0.001). Participants in the sense of worthlessness were less likely to watch TV (P = 0.005). Screen time, watching TV, and using computer were higher in students with aggressive behaviors (P < 0.001); screen time was higher in those with insomnia.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, higher SES, unhealthy food habits, and living in urban areas, as well as aggressive behaviors and insomnia increased the risk of physical inactivity.

Behavioral Characteristics and Cardiovascular Disease Risks Associated With Insomnia and Sleep Quality Among Middle-Aged Women in South Korea

Insomnia is the most common sleep problem in women. Increasing evidence suggests an association between insomnia and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, information is limited on lifestyle and socio-environmental factors associated with sleep problems in women. In this study directed by Social Cognitive Theory, we examined the personal, behavioral, socio-environmental, and CVD risk factors associated with sleep characteristics (insomnia and sleep quality) in middle-aged women using a cross-sectional design. The study instruments included the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and measures of social support and behavioral characteristics. Blood was drawn to assess serum glucose and lipids, and BMI was measured. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Of 423 middle-aged women, 25% experienced insomnia (ISI ≥ 10) and 41.3% reported poor sleep quality (PSQI ≥ 5). Lesser education (≤middle school), more depressive symptoms, more screen time (≥ 3 hours/day), and severe stress were associated with greater severity of insomnia and/or poorer sleep quality. Total and LDL cholesterol levels were higher in women with insomnia than normal sleepers, whereas the BMI was higher in those who reported poor sleep quality. Because personal, behavioral, and socio-environmental factors were significantly associated with insomnia and poor sleep quality, multifactorial approaches should be considered in developing sleep interventions and reducing cardiovascular risk. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cognitive and Motivational Factors Associated with Sedentary Behavior: A Systematic Review

Excessive time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) is associated with numerous health risks. These associations remain even after controlling for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) and body mass index, indicating that efforts to promote leisure time physical activity alone are insufficient. Cognitive and motivation variables represent potentially modifiable factors and have the potential of furthering our understanding of sedentary behavior. Hence, a systematic review was conducted to synthesize and critique the literature on the relationship between cognitive and motivational factors and sedentary behaviors. In April 2016, four electronic databases (Psych info, Pub Med, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) were searched and a total of 4866 titles and abstracts were reviewed. After meeting inclusion criteria, study characteristics were extracted and the methodological quality of each study was assessed according to the Downs and Black Checklist. PRISMA guidelines for reporting of systematic reviews were followed. Twenty-five studies (16 cross-sectional, 8 longitudinal and one examining two populations and employing both a cross-sectional and prospective design) assessed 23 different cognitive and motivational factors. Seventeen studies were theory-based and 8 did not employ a theoretical model. Results showed that among SB-related cognitions, risk factors for greater sedentary time included having a more positive attitude towards SB, perceiving greater social support/norms for SB, reporting greater SB habits, having greater intentions to be sedentary, and having higher intrinsic, introjected, and external motivation towards SB. Protective factors associated with lower sedentary time included having greater feelings of self-efficacy/control over SB and greater intentions to reduce SB. Among PA-related cognitions, protective factors for lower SB included a more positive attitude towards PA, having greater social support/norms for PA, greater self-efficacy/control for PA, higher PA intentions, and higher intrinsic and identified motivation towards PA. In addition, feeling more supported and empowered in general was related with lower levels of SB. The average methodological quality score for included studies was 69% (SD = 9.15%; range 35–80%). In conclusion, a number of cognitive and motivational factors were identified that were associated with sedentarism. These findings have come from reasonably high quality studies. To further extend our understanding of the relation between cognitive and motivational factors and SB, more longitudinal, theory-driven studies examining cognitions and motivation from a sedentary perspective are required.

Prevalence of Physical Activity and Sitting Time Among South Korean Adolescents: Results From the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013

This study aimed to describe physical activity (PA) and sitting time, and to examine associations between sociodemographic factors, weight status, PA, and sitting time among South Korean adolescents (12-18 years). Findings are based on self-report data from 638 participants in the 2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Only 4.9% of adolescents accumulated 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA daily. Adolescents spent 532.4 ± 9.3 mins/d sitting. After controlling for age and sex, individuals in higher income groups compared with the lowest income group, living in nonmetro Seoul compared with metro Seoul, and who were overweight compared with nonoverweight were more likely to meet PA guidelines. Participants in the highest income group compared with lowest income group, and residing in nonmetro Seoul compared with metro Seoul were more likely to be in the high sitting time group (>720 min/d) (P < .05). Increasing PA and reducing sitting should be a public health priority in South Korea.