SMART SCREEN EXPOSURE AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH ADDICTIVE FOOD BEHAVIOR AND SLEEP DISORDERS IN CHILDREN. WHAT’S BEYOND THE SCENE?

Abstract

In today’s digital age, the increasing currency of smart screen exposure in our children’s lives is becoming a global public health concern. The reciprocal ability, and enjoyment value, with the increased demand for using smart screen devices have led to their rising merge into day-to-day activities. This study is an observational cross-sectional study conducted in 632 children, aiming to comprehensively investigate Egyptian children’s attitude towards smart screens and whether children who are more exposed to smart screens are prone to have a higher BMI percentile, addictive eating behavior, and disturbed sleep. The research results have shown that 69.6% of the children had a high exposure rate, 1.9% had a low exposure rate and 28.5% were in-between. Furthermore, 51% of the children demanded the products seen on smart screens every day, 32% had a demand a few times per week while 17% demanded those products once a week. In addition, 56% of the participants had obesity while 44% had normal BMI, out of which 35.9% had both obesity and addictive food behavior. Smart screen exposure is associated with disturbed sleep and short sleep duration. A statistically significant correlation was revealed between the periods in which children were most exposed to smart screens and disturbed sleeping habits in all participants in this study. To conclude, it is important to monitor children’s media exposure and identify the negative consequences of smart screens to support behavioral changes and alter communication styles, prompt strategies, and set goals toward a better healthy life.