Screen Time Parenting Practices and Associations with Preschool Children's TV Viewing and Weight-Related Outcomes.

Cody D Neshteruk,Courtney T Luecking,Stephanie Mazzucca,Amber E Vaughn,Gina L Tripicchio,Stephanie Lobaugh,Dianne S Ward

doi:10.3390/ijerph18147359

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between screen time (ST) parenting practices and 2–5-year-old children’s TV viewing and weight status. Data were collected from 252 parent–child dyads enrolled in a randomized parent-focused childhood obesity prevention trial from 2009–2012. ST parenting practices were assessed at baseline using a validated parent-reported survey. Parent-reported child TV viewing and objectively measured anthropometrics were assessed at baseline, post-intervention (35 weeks), and follow-up (59 weeks). Marginal effect models were developed to test the association between baseline ST parenting practices and children’s TV viewing, BMI z-score, and waist circumference across all time points. Limiting/monitoring ST was associated with decreased weekly TV viewing (β = −1.79, 95% CI: −2.61; −0.95), while exposure to TV was associated with more weekly TV viewing over 59 weeks (β = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.71; 1.75). Greater parent use of ST as a reward was associated with increased child BMI z-score (β = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03; 0.27), while limiting/monitoring ST was associated with decreased BMI z-score (β = −0.16, 95% CI: −0.30; −0.01) and smaller waist circumference (β = −0.55, 95% CI: −1.04; −0.06) over the study period. These findings suggest that modifying parent ST practices may be an important strategy to reduce ST and promote healthy weight in young children.

Highlights

Modifying children’s screen time (ST) or media use (i.e., time spent watching television (TV), playing video games, or using computers, tablets, and mobile phones) may be one strategy to combat the rise in pediatric obesity [2]
Baseline measures showed that children spent an average of 12.6 (±9.5) hours per week watching TV, with 67% of children exceeding the Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation of one hour of ST per day
Using ST as a reward was not associated with weekly TV viewing or child waist circumference but was positively associated with child body mass index (BMI) z-score (β = 0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03 to 0.27)

Summary

Introduction

Modifying children’s screen time (ST) or media use (i.e., time spent watching television (TV), playing video games, or using computers, tablets, and mobile phones) may be one strategy to combat the rise in pediatric obesity [2]. Both observational and experimental research has demonstrated a clear link between ST and children’s weight gain and adiposity [3]. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that ST should be limited to one hour a day of high-quality programming for 2–5-year-old children [4].

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Discussion

Conclusion