Relationship of Body Mass Index to Screen Time in Head Start Participants in Central Arkansas

Abstract

Childhood obesity leads to numerous health problems making it a national health crisis. Prevalence rates have tripled since the 1980's, and without identifying the causes the problem will continue to intensify. It is crucial to detect obesity risk factors early in life so that strategies can be formulated to reverse this trend. This study's objective was to determine if a relationship exists between BMI category and screen time in preschool children enrolled in Head Start in Central Arkansas. A retrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted using de‐identified data. Study participants included children ages 3–5 years (n=360) enrolled in Head Start. The main outcomes measures were BMI category and screen time. Almost half (44%) of the children viewed more than 2 hours of screen time per day despite the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics to limit screen time in children to ≤2 hours per day. Additionally, 24% of the children did not participate in any physical activity in the past week. Pearson's Chi Square showed no significant association (p=0.057) between BMI category and hours of screen time. A significant negative association was determined between screen time and participation in physical activity (p=0.024). Interventions that stress TV reduction and increased physical activity are crucial for obesity prevention and treatment in this population.