The 20-Year Trend of Obesity and Recreational Screen Time Among Children Receiving Special Education Services

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined obesity and recreational screen time trends in children receiving special education services from 1999 to 2018. We analysed data from 2565 children aged 5–17 years from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Their body mass index (BMI) and recreational screen time were analysed using ordinal and logistic regressions. The obesity prevalence (aOR = 1.043, 95% CI [1.006, 1.082]) and rate of recreational screen time guideline compliance (less than 2 hours [reference]; aOR = 1.082, 95% CI [1.041, 1.124]) in these children showed a small but significantly increasing trend during the two decades, respectively. This group of children also showed disparities in weight status, where growing trends were found in male, non-White, and 12–17 years old children. Children who did not meet the recreational screen time guideline were more likely to be obese compared to be in a healthy weight condition (aOR = 1.353, 95% CI [1.054, 1.736]). The findings point out the substantial need for sustainable and effective actions to reduce obesity and recreational screen time among children receiving special education services.