Screen Time, Physical Activity, And Bmi Among Hispanic Children In Puerto Rico

Abstract

Screen time (ScT) represents a behavior usually, but not always, associated with reduced physical activity, and increased sedentary time and BMI among children. Childhood obesity is a major health problem, particularly among Hispanic children in Puerto Rico (PR). Little information is available regarding ScT and its association with BMI and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in this population. PURPOSE: To evaluate ScT, including the use of passive vs. active video games (PVG and AVG), MVPA, and BMI among 6-8-year-old Hispanic children in PR. METHODS: A convenience sample of 100 children (54 boys and 46 girls) wore an accelerometer attached to an elastic band over the right hip area for 7-days, and their parents completed a physical activity questionnaire including information regarding their children’s screen time. T-tests were conducted to detect sex differences, and correlation analyses to detect associations between variables. RESULTS: Total screen time (2.1±1.5 hrs/day), including PVG (0.4±0.6 hrs/day) and AVG (0.1±0.4 hrs/day), and MVPA (4.1±0.9 hrs/day) were not significantly different between boys and girls. An inverse correlation was observed between MVPA and AVG (ρ= -0.20, P= 0.04). No other significant correlations were detected between ST, MVPA, and BMI. CONCLUSION: ScT in the group of Hispanic children evaluated was in the recommended limit, and appear not to affect their level of MVPA, which exceeded current recommendations. They appear to spent more time using PVG than AVG, and those that spent more time in AVG also spent less time in MVPA. These results support other studies suggesting that ScT does not influence MVPA or BMI in young children.