Screen Time and Its Association with Body Adiposity and Hypertension among the School-Going Adolescents of Manipur, Northeast India

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The objective of the study was to examine the association of screen time with body adiposity and hypertension among the school-going adolescents of Manipur. Methods Data were collected from 728 school-going adolescents of both sexes aged between 15 and 19 years. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and self-response to screen time were collected. Chi-squared test and odds ratio were done to check the association between screen time and overweight/obesity and hypertension. Results About 78.8% of males spent less than or equal to 6 hours at the screen, while 21.3% spent more than 6 hours at the screen. Eighty-six percent of females spent less than or equal to 6 hours at the screen, and 14% spent more than 6 hours at the screen. Chi-squared analysis shows a significant association between abdominal obesity (waist circumference, WC) and screen time in males (p < 0.05), while no association is observed in females. However, screen time shows no correlation with body mass index, weight-to-height ratio, and hypertension. Conclusion This study highlights a high percentage of adolescents engaged in longer screen time, more than 6 hours. Furthermore, the study put forth the association of abdominal obesity as measured by WC with the screen time among the adolescents of Manipur. Longer screen time may deteriorate adolescents' health status as it reduces physical activity time.