Abstract
BackgroundSedentary behaviors have recently become an important public health issue. We aimed to investigate the relationship between screen time and nutrient intake in children and adolescents.MethodsThe present study was conducted in 2013. Data were collected from children and adolescents aged between 6 and 15 years old in Shika town. Questionnaires were distributed to 1459 subjects, 1414 of whom participated in the study (96.9%). Sedentary behaviors were assessed based on participants’ screen behaviors (television (TV) viewing, personal computer (PC) use, and mobile phone (MP) use). The main outcomes were the intake of nutrients from a validated food frequency questionnaire. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine the significance of differences in nutrient intake estimates. Multivariate linear regression analyses, adjusting for age, BMI, and physical activity, were used to provide parameter estimates (β) and 95% CI for the relationship between screen time and nutrient intake.ResultsIn boys, longer TV viewing times correlated or tended to correlate with a lower intake of protein, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin K, vitamin B-2, and total dietary fiber. In girls, longer TV viewing times correlated with a lower intake of protein, sodium, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B-2. Longer TV viewing times correlated with a higher intake of n-6 fatty acids in girls. PC use was related or tended to be related to a lower intake of potassium, iron, vitamin K, and folic acid in boys, but not in girls. A relationship was observed between MP use and a lower intake of vitamin K in boys, and MP use and a higher intake of vitamin D in girls.ConclusionsThe present results revealed that longer TV viewing times are associated with less protein, minerals, vitamins, and total dietary fiber intake in children and adolescents. It was also revealed that boys with PC use have less minerals and vitamins. These results support the need to design intervention programs that focus on decreasing TV viewing time in both sexes and PC use in boys while encouraging adherence to dietary guidelines among children and adolescents.
Highlights
Sedentary behaviors have recently become an important public health issue
Longer TV viewing times correlated with a lower intake of protein (β = − 0.109, p = 0.005), potassium (β = − 0.076, p = 0.050), calcium (β = − 0.109, p = 0.005), iron (β = − 0.084, p = 0.029), vitamin K (β = − 0.098, p = 0.011), vitamin B-2 (β = − 0.076, p = 0.046), and total dietary fiber (β = − 0.074, p = 0.051)
A relationship was observed between mobile phone (MP) use and a lower intake of vitamin K (β = − 0.089, p = 0.026) in boys, and MP use and a higher intake of vitamin D (β = 0.088, p = 0.036) in girls
Summary
Sedentary behaviors have recently become an important public health issue. We aimed to investigate the relationship between screen time and nutrient intake in children and adolescents. Observational studies reported that a prolonged sedentary time, in particular time spent watching television (TV), was linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and premature death [2, 3]. These relationships are not always consistent across age, gender, or health outcomes. Sedentary behaviors have been suggested to contribute to young individuals being overweight and obese, the evidence obtained to support this remains controversial This may be due to the influence of a third variable or co-existing health behaviors. The consumption of a healthier diet reduces the risk of obesity and numerous chronic diseases [6]
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