Self-Reported Screen Time is Independently Associated with Cardiometabolic Disease Risk Factors in Young Adults

Abstract

Research has shown that self-reported screen time is linked to cardiometabolic disease risk factors in children. Whether this association extends to young adults has not been investigated. PURPOSE: To determine the associations between self-reported screen time and individual cardiometabolic disease risk factors in young adults. METHODS: Sixty-six young adults volunteered for the study (mean±SD: age 20.6±1.4 y; BMI 24.3±3.6 kg/m2; body fat 22.7±8.8%; peak oxygen consumption [VO2peak] 45.7±7.7 ml/kg/min). Sedentary behavior and screen time (television viewing, video games and computer games) were self-reported using the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was objectively measured by 7 d of accelerometer wear. Cardiometabolic disease risk factors were measured using standard procedures and included waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Body composition was estimated by BOD POD and VO2peak was measured by indirect calorimetry using an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion. Multiple regression was used to analyze the independent associations between screen time and individual cardiometabolic disease risk factors with sedentary behavior, MVPA, age, and sex used as covariates in the models. RESULTS: On average, screen time (14.8±11.6 h/week) accounted for 25% of total sedentary behavior (59.0±25.8 h/week). Screen time was positively associated with BMI (R2=0.19, β=0.35, p=0.02), waist circumference (R2=0.19, β=0.43, p<0.01), fat mass (R2=0.39, β=0.34, p=0.01), and TG (R2=0.24, β=0.43, p<0.01), and negatively associated with VO2peak (R2=0.66, β=-0.39, p<0.01). These associations were independent of total sedentary behavior, MVPA, age and sex. Screen time was not associated with blood pressure, glucose, HDL or LDL (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that screen time is related to individual cardiometabolic disease risk factors in young adults. Screen time accounted for 25% of sedentary time and may be an important area to target for chronic disease prevention programs in young adults. Funded by CTR-IN NIH NIGMS #1U54GM104944-01A1