Abstract
Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of a multicomponent, school-based intervention in reducing screentime in adolescents according to sex. Methods: This is a non-randomized controlled intervention study focusing on cardiorespiratory fitness, body image, nutrition and physical activity. Screentime (television, computer/video game) was the secondary outcome of the intervention and was addressed using educational strategies (folders, posters, educational sessions and group discussions). Screen time was measured using a structured questionnaire validated in Brazilian adolescents and the excess time spent on-screen was defined as two hours or more daily. The effect of the intervention was analyzed by the McNemar test and logistic regression. Results: Intervention effectively reduced the proportion of adolescents exposed to more than two hours a day of computer/videogame in males from 71.7% to 57.5% (p= 0.002) and excessive time of television in females from 81.5% to 72.6% (p = 0.024), from the beginning to the end of the study in the group receiving intervention. However, no effect of intervention was found in the comparison between intervention and control groups for computer/video game time (OR = 0.822; p = 0.504) and television time (OR = 0.667; p = 0.252). Conclusion: The intervention was not effective in reducing screen time in the comparison between intervention and control groups, but it reduced the screen time of adolescents in the intervention group.
Highlights
Excessive screen time (≥ 2 hours), regardless of level of physical activity, is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases, psychological problems and all causes of death[1,2,3]
Interventions applied to female adolescents and developed with educational sessions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior have reduced the use of television[16]
The MEXA-SE protocol is easy to apply and seems to be more suitable for reducing screen time in adolescents than traditional Physical Education classes. This was because the MEXA-SE protocol was built on theories of behavioral change[21,22]. Such theories are not employed in the traditional Physical Education classes and, it is for this reason that traditional Physical Education classes represent very little in the change of behavior of the adolescents
Summary
Excessive screen time (≥ 2 hours), regardless of level of physical activity, is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases, psychological problems and all causes of death[1,2,3]. In Brazil, a population-based study conducted with adolescents in the 9th grade of high school found that 78.6% watched television for two or more hours daily[6] In this context, the literature indicates the need for interventions with educational actions and strategies that include school, family and health professionals to increase physical activity levels and reduce sedentary behavior[7]. Interventions applied to female adolescents and developed with educational sessions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior have reduced the use of television[16] These effective schoolbased interventions to reduce screen time have been applied in different countries and it was observed that among them, the use of educational strategies is a consensus
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