Screen-viewing Behaviours Research Articles

Physical Activity and Screen Viewing Behaviors Among Children Aged 6-9Years During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many restrictions worldwide, including lockdowns and school closures. This may have prevented children from meeting the recommended physical activity (PA) levels and screen time. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the pandemic on school-age children's PA and screen time in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study where caregivers of children aged 6-9years living in Saudi Arabia were recruited through convenience sampling to fill out an online survey between July and August 2020. The survey covered demographic information, PAs, and screen time across 3 periods: pre-COVID-19 pandemic, during the COVID-19 lockdown, and the last 7days preceding the survey during the pandemic where social distancing applied, but no lockdown. A total of 339 caregivers completed the online survey about their children. The number of active children slightly increased during the lockdown (9.7%) than before COVID-19 and the last days (5.8%); however, the average reported days of PA during the pandemic were fewer than before. The findings indicated that all 3 types of screen time (watch time, screenplay, and device time) were longer during the pandemic (mean [SD]: 9.5 [5.5]) than before the COVID-19 (mean [SD]: 5.8 [5.1]). While the proportion of active children had increased during the lockdown, the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted PA days and screen time in school-age children. School-age children in Saudi Arabia were already far from meeting global guidelines even before the pandemic, highlighting this population's need for healthy lifestyle promotion.

Screen-viewing behaviours of children before and after the 2020–21 COVID-19 lockdowns in the UK: a mixed methods study

BackgroundRestrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to increased screen-viewing among children, especially during strict periods of lockdown. However, the extent to which screen-viewing patterns in UK school children have changed post lockdowns is unclear. The aim of this paper is to examine how screen-viewing changed in 10–11-year-old children over the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic, how this compares to before the pandemic, and the influences on screen-viewing behaviour.MethodsThis is a mixed methods study with 10–11-year-olds from 50 schools in the Greater Bristol area, UK. Cross-sectional questionnaire data on minutes of weekday and weekend television (TV) viewing and total leisure screen-viewing were collected pre-COVID-19 in 2017–18 (N = 1,296) and again post-lockdowns in 2021 (N = 393). Data were modelled using Poisson mixed models, adjusted for age, gender, household education and seasonality, with interactions by gender and household education. Qualitative data were drawn from six focus groups (47 children) and 21 one-to-one parent interviews that explored screen-viewing behaviour during the pandemic and analysed using the framework method.ResultsTotal leisure screen-viewing was 11% (95% CI: 12%-18%) higher post-lockdown compared to pre-COVID-19 on weekdays, and 8% (95% CI: 6%-10%) on weekends, equating to around 12–15 min. TV-viewing (including streaming) was higher by 68% (95% CI: 63%-74%) on weekdays and 80% (95% CI: 75%-85%) on weekend days. Differences in both were higher for girls and children from households with lower educational attainment. Qualitative themes reflected an unavoidable increase in screen-based activities during lockdowns, the resulting habitualisation of screen-viewing post-lockdown, and the role of the parent in reducing post-2020/21 lockdown screen-viewing.ConclusionsAlthough screen-viewing was higher post-lockdown compared to pre-COVID-19, the high increases reported during lockdowns were not, on average, sustained post-lockdown. This may be attributed to a combination of short-term fluctuations during periods of strict restrictions, parental support in regulating post-lockdown behaviour and age-related, rather than COVID-19-specific, increases in screen-viewing. However, socio-economic differences in our sample suggest that not all families were able to break the COVID-19-related adoption of screen-viewing, and that some groups may need additional support in managing a healthy balance of screen-viewing and other activities following the lockdowns.

Relationship between energy balance-related behaviors and personal and family factors in overweight/obese primary school students aged 10–12 years in China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundIncreasing rates of childhood obesity worldwide are a serious threat to the health of school-aged children. Unhealthy behavioral habits are modifiable factors in the control of childhood obesity, and personal and family factors are key influencing factors of behavioral habits in school-aged children. This study assessed the relationship between overweight/obesity, energy balance-related behaviors (EBRB), and their influencing factors in school-aged children.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey included 4412 primary school-aged (10–12 years) students who underwent body tests and were selected through stratified sampling in the Northeast, North, Northwest, and Southwest regions of China from March to July 2021. Independent sample t test was used to compare differences between behaviors and influencing factors of energy balance among overweight/obesity and normal weight students. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influence of EBRB on body shape. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the influence of personal and family factors on EBRB effects.ResultsCompared with normal-weight students, number of breakfasts consumed per week by overweight/obese students was significantly lower (p < 0.01), and weekly screen-viewing time was significantly longer (p < 0.01). Overweight/obese students’ health beliefs, parental subjective norms, parental modelling, parental practices, and home availability scores increased significantly in terms of beverage consumption behavior (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). Attitude, health beliefs, self-efficacy, parental subjective norms, and parental support scores decreased significantly in terms of breakfast consumption (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). Health belief scores on physical activity increased significantly (p < 0.01), while preference and autonomy scores decreased significantly (p < 0.01). Health beliefs, parental subjective norms, and parental practices scores of screen-viewing activities increased significantly (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). Breakfast consumption (odds ratio [OR]: 0.911; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.870–0.954) and screen-viewing activities (OR:1.055; 95% CI: 1.030–1.080) correlated negatively and positively with overweight/obesity, respectively. The main influencing factors of breakfast behavior in overweight/obese students were self-efficacy (0.14), preference (0.11), attitude (0.07), home availability (0.18), and parent modelling (0.09); those for screen-viewing behavior were preference (0.19), self-efficacy (− 0.15), parental practices (0.13), and parental subjective norm (0.12).ConclusionsIrregular breakfast consumption and excessive screen-viewing time are key EBRB associated with overweight/obesity among these Chinese participants. Their unhealthy breakfast consumption and screen-viewing activities result from a combination of personal and family factors.

The Relationship between Eating and Screen Viewing Behavior with Nutritional Status of Adolescents in Medan City

Adolescents are vulnerable to experiencing malnutrition issues, both overnutrition and undernutrition. This study’s objective was to determine the relationship between eating and screen viewing behaviour and with nutritional status of adolescents. This study used a cross-sectional design with 145 adolescents chosen through the purposive sampling method. The samples were divided into three categories: early adolescents, middle adolescents, and late adolescents, and data on eating behaviour were obtained by using Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ). The screen viewing behavior variable had two categories: low screen time and high screen time. Adolescent body mass index z-scores measured nutritional status. This study was conducted from June to August 2022. Results showed 5.5% underweight participants, 18.6% subject overweight participants, and 22.8% obese participants of the total participants. Spearman’s tests showed that there was a significant relationship between eating behaviour and nutritional status (p&lt;0.05) only on two subscales of appetite traits (emotional overeating and food responsiveness) in early adolescents. Likewise, in late adolescents, there was a significant relationship between eating behaviour and nutritional status (p&lt;0.05) only with emotional undereating. There was no significant relationship between screen viewing behaviour and nutritional status in all categories of adolescents. The highest prevalence of obesity was found in early adolescents, and it influenced the adolescent’s eating behavior such as emotional overeating. While in late adolescents, malnutrition cases were more or less common due to emotional undereating.

Exploring Mediation Roles of Child Screen-Viewing between Parental Factors and Child Overweight in Taiwan.

Children’s screen-viewing behavior is influenced by parents’ own screen-viewing hours and the parental rules set for screen-viewing time. However, whether childhood obesity is associated with these three factors has not been widely investigated in Chinese populations. We examined the relationships between parental rules, parental screen-viewing, child screen-viewing and child overweight. Questionnaires were distributed to 1300 parents who had children studying in two elementary schools in an eastern Taiwanese City (Yi-Lan). We collected the data (the final response rate was 77.7%) on children’s health states, the length of screen-viewing time, and whether parental rules of screen-viewing time have been set (n = 1005). Models using structural equation modeling, with controlling of age, gender, and physical activity of the participants, were carried out, to examine the mediated effect of child screen-viewing. The results of model testing showed that child screen-viewing could be a mediator in the associations between parental rule and child overweight (parental rule: coefficient = −0.18, p < 0.001); and between parent screen-viewing and child overweight (parent screen-viewing: coefficient = 0.072, p < 0.001). These findings suggested that parental factors (rules and little screen viewing time) effectively decreased the level of children’s screen-viewing time, and the child screen-viewing time could mediate the association between parental factors and child overweight in the Chinese population.

Striking a Balance: Physical Activity, Screen-Viewing and Homework during the Transition to Secondary School.

Physical activity levels decline, and screen-viewing behaviours increase during childhood and adolescence. The transition to secondary school appears to coincide with a sharp decline in physical activity. Parents have the potential to influence their child’s behaviours, yet little is known about their expectations for their child’s physical activity and screen-viewing during this transition. This paper explores parents’ expectations for their children’s physical activity and screen-viewing as they transition from primary to secondary school, and their proposed strategies for managing these behaviours during this time. Forty-two parents of children aged 10–11 years participated in a semi-structured telephone interviews in July 2017 or March 2018. The interview data were analysed via inductive and deductive content analysis to explore parents’ perceptions of physical activity and screen-viewing during the transition, the reasons for their perceptions, and the strategies they intended to implement to help their child balance their behaviours. Most parents expected both physical activity and screen-viewing to increase during this transition. There were several individuals, social and school-level factors influencing these expectations. Overall, parents felt that helping their child balance their activity levels, screen-viewing and homework would be challenging.

Unhealthy Lifestyle Associated with Higher Intake of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages among Malaysian School-Aged Adolescents.

High consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among adolescents has turned into a global concern due to its negative impact on health. This cross-sectional study determined the amount of SSB consumption among adolescents and its associated factors. A total of 421 adolescents aged 13.3 ± 1.3 years (41.8% males, 58.2% females) completed a self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, screen-viewing behavior, sleep quality, frequency of eating at fast food restaurants, home food availability, peer social pressure, parenting practice, and SSB consumption. Weight and height were measured. Results showed that the mean daily consumption of SSBs among adolescents was 1038.15 ± 725.55 mL. The most commonly consumed SSB was malted drink, while the least commonly consumed SSB was instant coffee. The multiple linear regression results revealed that younger age (β = −0.204, p < 0.001), higher physical activity (β = 0.125, p = 0.022), higher screen time (β = 0.147, p = 0.007), poorer sleep quality (β = 0.228, p < 0.001), and unhealthy home food availability (β = 0.118, p = 0.032) were associated with a higher SSB intake. Therefore, promoting a healthy lifestyle may help to reduce the excessive consumption of SSBs among adolescents.

Evaluating the Relationship Between Multimedia Viewing, Sedentary Behavior, and Executive Function: a Systematic Review

Research and discussions over the relationship between executive function, multimedia viewing, and sedentary human behavior are becoming increasingly popular throughout academia and mainstream media. While some studies report screen-viewing behavior as being associated with reduced levels of physical activity, other studies have also reported associations with higher levels of cognitive activity. The aim of this paper is to establish the relationship between multimedia viewing, sedentary behavior, and executive function. In achieving this aim, the main objectives are to (1) identify a framework to specify core characteristics of visual stimuli that may influence behavior and (2) identify the ways executive functions may mediate the interpretation of visual media. Literature searches were conducted in the Cochrane Library, PsychInfo and PsychArticles, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science. Methods of assessment reported in the literature were predominantly reliant on experimenter observation and participant self-report, without psychometric, empirical, or objective measurement of the core variables under study. Despite a sizable proportion of research conducting large-scale experiments and/or secondary analysis of data from longitudinal databases, there were no indications of the characteristics or styles of visual stimuli used. The myriad of published works range in methodological design, resource, and stimuli use or sample population. Raising a question of comparability and replicability, recommendations are made for researchers in reporting multimedia stimuli and importance in addressing the role of cognitive engagement and social interaction within the methodological design and reporting.

Exploring the physical activity and screen-viewing-related knowledge, training, and self-efficacy of early childhood education candidates

BackgroundEarly childhood educators greatly influence young children’s physical activity and screen-viewing behaviours in childcare. However, educators have requested additional training in physical activity programming, and one logical place to provide this education is during their pre-service schooling. This study explored the physical activity and screen-viewing-related knowledge, training, and self-efficacy of early childhood education (ECE) candidates across Canada, to determine their confidence and ability to facilitate physical activity opportunities and limit screen-viewing among young children in childcare.MethodsKey program personnel at 61 (of 110) Canadian colleges/universities offering an ECE program agreed to participate in this cross-sectional study. An online survey (112 items; 9 domains), developed by experts using the Tailored Design Method, was administered via Qualtrics© to a sample of 1292 ECE candidates. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U-tests, and chi-square tests were used to report participant demographics and physical activity and screen-viewing-related knowledge (i.e., of physical activity and screen-viewing concepts), training (i.e., physical activity and screen-viewing courses/content received), and self-efficacy (i.e., to facilitate physical activity and limit screen-viewing in childcare) of candidates.ResultsECE candidates exhibited the least amount of knowledge regarding the impact of screen-viewing on physiological outcomes (i.e., blood pressure) in young children. Further, only 32.2 and 26.7% of candidates reported completing physical activity or screen-viewing courses during their post-secondary training, respectively. Candidates who completed one or more physical activity or screen-viewing courses exhibited significantly greater (p <.05) self-efficacy than those without such training related to ensuring children were engaging in adequate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Confidence to limit screen time did not differ. Candidates reporting meeting national physical activity recommendations (i.e., 150+ minutes of MVPA/week) exhibited significantly greater (p <.05) physical activity-related self-efficacy than those not meeting these guidelines.ConclusionsFindings from this work highlight both the need for and the potential of supplementary physical activity and screen-viewing content in post-secondary ECE programs to benefit candidates’ knowledge and self-efficacy in these areas. Introducing this content at the post-secondary level will ensure that all early childhood educators are appropriately trained regarding physical activity and screen-viewing before entering a childcare-based profession, where they can positively influence young children’s health behaviours.

Insufficient Physical Activity and Overweight: Does Caregiver Screen-Viewing Matter?

Physical activity (PA) is essential for children’s health and well-being, yet many children around the world do not meet the recommended PA levels. Screen-viewing behavior is one of the possible factors leading to low levels of PA and being overweight. Although research in Western countries shows that caregivers’ screen-viewing behavior and rule-setting are associated with their children’s screen-viewing behavior, these results may not be generalizable to East Asian populations. Therefore, the current study proposed two mediation models to investigate whether insufficient physical activity mediates the relationship between children’s screen viewing behavior and overweight status, and whether such screen-viewing behavior mediates the relationship between caregiver factors and children’s overweight status. The participants in this study comprised 1031 elementary school students (516 boys and 515 girls) in Taiwan. Through a cross-sectional design, caregivers reported their children’s PA levels, screen-viewing time, body mass index (BMI), home environment, and caregivers’ rules regarding screen-time restrictions. Additionally, an χ2 test was used to examine the differences between children with and without sufficient PA. The results from χ2 tests suggest that, in the insufficient PA group, the caregivers tended to have excessive screen time per day and have no rules to manage their children’s screen-viewing behavior. Furthermore, the children in this group were more likely to have excessive screen-viewing time per day than their counterparts. Sobel tests revealed that insufficient PA was a mediator in the relationship between children’s screen-viewing behavior and being overweight. Children’s screen-viewing behavior was also found to be a mediator in the relationship between caregivers’ factors and being overweight. The results of the current study indicate that caregivers’ screen-viewing behavior and caregivers’ screen-viewing rules may be associated with their children’s insufficient PA levels and overweight problems, which, in turn, are related to their children’s screen-viewing behavior. Future efforts at childhood overweight intervention should consider the inclusion of educational and behavioral programs designed for caregivers, rather than targeting children alone.

Exploring parents' screen-viewing behaviours and sedentary time in association with their attitudes toward their young child's screen-viewing.

Sedentary time and screen-viewing (SV) are associated with chronic disease risk in adults. Parent and child sedentary time and SV are associated. Parents influence children's SV through parenting styles and role modelling. Understanding whether parents' attitudes toward child SV are associated with their own SV and sedentary time will aid development of family interventions to reduce sedentary behaviours. Cross-sectional data with 809 parents from Bristol, UK were collected in 2012–2013 and analysed in 2016. Parental total sedentary time was derived from accelerometer data. Parents self-reported daily television viewing, use of computers, games consoles, and smartphone/tablets (none, 1–59 min, 1–2 h, > 2 h) and attitudes toward child SV. Adjusted linear and logistic regression models were used to examine associations, separately for weekdays and weekend days. Having negative attitudes toward child SV was associated with lower weekend sedentary time (Coeff: − 6.41 [95% CI: − 12.37 to − 0.45] min/day). Limiting behaviours and having negative attitudes toward child SV were associated with lower weekday television viewing (OR: 0.72 [0.57–0.90] and 0.57 [0.47–0.70] respectively), weekend television viewing (0.75 [0.59–0.95] and 0.61 [0.50–0.75]), and weekend computer use (0.73 [0.58–0.92] and 0.80 [0.66–0.97]). Negative attitudes were also associated with lower smartphone use on weekdays (0.70 [0.57–0.85]) and weekends (0.70 [0.58–0.86]). Parent self-efficacy for limiting child SV and setting SV rules were not associated with sedentary time or SV. Reporting negative attitudes toward child SV was associated with lower accelerometer-assessed weekend total sedentary time and self-reported SV behaviours, while limiting child SV was also associated with lower self-reported SV.

Excessive Game Playing Is Associated with Poor Toothbrushing Behavior among Athletic Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Miyagi, Japan.

Dental problems among athletes have been cautioned due to negative impacts not only on their oral health but also on athletic performance. Acquirement of appropriate oral health behavior mainly composed of toothbrushing in childhood can be one of the most important strategies for advancing children's athletic possibilities. Although habits of screen viewing, including game playing, and TV viewing have direct impacts on children's health and behavioral development, little is known about the association between these habits and toothbrushing frequency. A cross-sectional survey examining sports activities was conducted using a self-report questionnaire among school-aged athletic children belonging to the Miyagi Amateur Sports Association (n = 6,658). All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS, and P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The association between a lower brushing frequency (< 2 times a day) and screen-viewing behavior was examined using multivariate logistic models after adjusting for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), studying time, and sleep duration. After adjustment for all covariates, longer game playing (> 2 hrs a day), but not TV viewing, significantly correlated with lower brushing frequency (P for trend < 0.001). Importantly, longer game-playing behavior was also associated with unhealthy dental behavior defined as a lower brushing frequency regardless of the awareness of dental caries (P for trend < 0.001). In conclusion, this is the first study indicating a type-specific unfavorable impact of screen viewing on oral health behavior among athletic children. Excessive game playing may adversely affect oral health literacy more strongly than TV viewing.

The parental role in adolescent screen related sedentary behavior.

Adolescents spend an increasing amount of their time engaged in screen using activities. The present study aimed at identifying parental factors associated with screen time among Greek adolescents. A sample of 1141 adolescents, as well as their parents, participated in this survey. Adolescents were asked to complete a questionnaire about time spent on screen-viewing behaviors. Respectively, parents completed a questionnaire concerning family predictors. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine correlates of adolescent screen-viewing with family predictors. The mean screen time per weekday was 193 min. Adolescents, whose parents had received up to secondary school education, spend more time in screen-viewing compared with the other groups. Controlling adolescents' gender and age, all the family variables (perceived rules, parental modeling, parents' screen related sedentary behavior, parental concern for screen viewing, support for physical activity, parental education) were statistically significant in predicting adolescent screen time with Perceived Rules recording a higher negative beta value (β=-0.18, p<0.00). Perceived parental screen time rules play a role in the amount of screen time among adolescents. Interventions that focus on parental limit setting development and physical activity support may be effective in decreasing screen time among youth aged 13-15 years.

Managing the screen-viewing behaviours of children aged 5–6 years: a qualitative analysis of parental strategies

ObjectivesThe present study used qualitative methods to: (1) examine the strategies that were used by parents of children aged 5–6 years to manage screen viewing; (2) identify key factors that...

Association between soft drink consumption, oral health and some lifestyle factors in Swedish adolescents

Objective. The aim was to investigate the relationship between soft drink consumption, oral health and some lifestyle factors in Swedish adolescents. Materials and methods. A clinical dental examination and a questionnaire concerning lifestyle factors, including drinking habits, oral hygiene, dietary consumption, physical activity and screen-viewing habits were completed. Three hundred and ninety-two individuals completed the study (13–14 years, n = 195; 18–19 years, n = 197). The material was divided into high and low carbonated soft drink consumption groups, corresponding to approximately the highest and the lowest one-third of subjects in each age group. Differences between the groups were tested by the Mann-Whitney U-test and logistic regression. Results. Intake of certain dietary items, tooth brushing, sports activities, meal patterns, screen-viewing behaviors, BMI and parents born outside Sweden differed significantly between high and low consumers in one or both of the two age groups. Dental erosion (both age groups) and DMFT/DMFS (18–19 years group) were significantly higher in the high consumption groups. Logistic regression showed predictive variables for high consumption of carbonated soft drinks to be mainly gender (male), unhealthy dietary habits, lesser physical activity, higher BMI and longer time spent in front of TV/computer. Conclusion. High soft drink consumption was related to poorer oral health and an unhealthier lifestyle.

Screen-viewing among preschoolers in childcare: a systematic review.

BackgroundScreen-viewing is one of the most common sedentary behaviors among preschoolers. Despite the high prevalence of sedentary behaviors in childcare, little research exists on the context and/or type of activities that account for these particular behaviors. Accordingly, if the amount of screen-viewing accumulated by preschoolers in childcare is not considered, researchers may be underestimating total screen time among this population, as only a portion of their day is being captured (i.e., the home environment). This systematic review provides a synthesis of research on the levels of screen-viewing among preschool-aged children (2.5-5 years) attending childcare (i.e., centre- and home-based childcare). This review also examined the correlates of screen-viewing among preschoolers in this setting. To provide additional contextual information, availability of screen activities was used to help ameliorate the understanding of preschoolers’ screen-viewing behaviors in childcare.MethodsTwelve electronic databases were searched to retrieve relevant articles for inclusion (dating from 2000 onwards). Additional studies were identified via manual searching techniques (i.e., hand searching and citation tracking). Only English, published peer-reviewed articles that examined preschoolers’ screen-viewing behaviors in childcare (i.e., rates of screen-viewing and access to/opportunities for related activities) were included. No restrictions to study design were applied.ResultsSeventeen international studies (4 experimental; 12 cross-sectional; 1 mixed-methods) published between 2004 and 2014 were examined. Of those, eight studies reported rates of screen-viewing and found that preschoolers spent approximately 0.1 to 1.3 hrs/day and 1.8 to 2.4 hrs/day engaged in this behavior in center- and home-based childcare, respectively. High staff education (negative association) and type of childcare arrangement (notably, home-based childcare in comparison to center-based childcare; positive association) were identified as two correlates in relation to preschoolers’ screen-viewing in childcare. Nine studies spoke to the availability of screen-viewing activities in childcare, and found the childcare environment to be conducive to this behavior.ConclusionsDespite some variability, preschoolers appear to engage in somewhat high levels of screen-viewing while in childcare, particularly within home-based facilities. This paper also highlighted the conduciveness of the childcare environment with regard to screen-viewing among preschoolers. Additional exploration into the correlates of screen-viewing in childcare is required. (PROSPORO registration: CRD42013005552).

Conceptual understanding of screen media parenting: report of a working group.

Screen media (television, computers, and videogames) use has been linked to multiple child outcomes, including obesity. Parents can be an important influence on children's screen use. There has been an increase in the number of instruments available to assess parenting in feeding and physical activity contexts, however few measures are available to assess parenting practices regarding children's screen media use. A working group of screen media and parenting researchers convened at the preconference workshop to the 2012 International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) annual meeting, "Parenting Measurement: Current Status and Consensus Reports," to identify and prioritize issues in assessing screen media parenting practices. The group identified that screen media use can pose different risks for children, depending on their age and developmental stage, across physiologic, psychosocial, and development outcomes. With that in mind, a conceptual framework of how parents may influence their child's screen-viewing behaviors was proposed to include the screen media content, context of viewing, and amount viewed. A research agenda was proposed to prioritize a validation of the framework and enhance the ability of researchers to best assess parenting influences across the three domains of content, context and amount of children's screen media use.

Mediators of longitudinal changes in measures of adiposity in teenagers using parallel process latent growth modeling

The aim of the study was to evaluate mediating effects of energy balance-related behaviors on measures of adiposity in the Dutch Obesity Intervention in Teenagers-study (DOiT). DOiT was an 8-month behavioral intervention program consisting of educational and environmental components and evaluated in 18 prevocational secondary schools in the Netherlands (n = 1,108, baseline age 12.7 years, 50% girls). Outcome measures were changes in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and sum of skinfold thickness. Self-reported consumption of sugar-containing beverages and high caloric snacks, active transport to/from school, and screen-viewing behaviors were the hypothesized mediators. Data were collected at 0, 8, 12, and 20 months. For the data analysis, parallel process latent growth modeling was used. Total sugar-containing beverages consumption mediated the intervention effects on BMI (ab = -0.01, 95%CI = -0.20, -0.001). The intervention group lowered their sugar-containing beverages consumption more than controls (B = -0.14, 95%CI = -0.22, -0.11) and this, in turn, led to smaller increases in BMI. No significant mediated effect by the targeted behaviors was found for waist circumference or sum of skinfolds. Future school-based overweight prevention interventions may target decreasing sugar-containing beverages consumption.

Differences in weight status and energy-balance related behaviors among schoolchildren in German-speaking Switzerland compared to seven countries in Europe

BackgroundOverweight in children and adolescents have increased significantly and are a major public health problem. To allow international comparisons, Switzerland joined the European study ‘ENERGY’ cross sectional survey consortium that investigated the prevalence of overweight and obesity as well as selected dietary, physical and sedentary behaviors of 10–12 years old pupils across seven other countries in Europe. The aims of the present study was to compare body composition and energy-balance related behaviors of Swiss schoolchildren to those of the seven European ENERGY-countries and to analyze overweight and energy-balance related behaviors of Swiss children according to socio-demographic factors.MethodsA school-based cross-sectional study among 10–12 year old children was conducted in Switzerland and seven other European countries using a standardized protocol. Body height, weight and waist-circumference were measured by trained research assistants. Energy-balance related behaviors –i.e. selected dietary, physical activity and screen-viewing behaviors were assessed by questionnaires. Weight status and behaviors in Switzerland were compared to the seven European ENERGY countries. Within the Swiss sample, analyses stratified by gender, parental education and ethnicity were performed.ResultsData of 546 Swiss children (mean age 11.6±0.8y, 48% girls) were obtained and compared to the ENERGY- results (N=7.148; mean age 11.5±0.8y, 48% girls). In Switzerland significantly less children were overweight (13.9%) or obese (2.3%) compared to the average across the ENERGY-countries (23.7% and 4.7%, respectively), and were even somewhat lower than the ENERGY countries with the lowest prevalence. Sugar sweetened beverage intakes and breakfast habits of Swiss children did not differ significantly from those of ENERGY. However, the mean time devoted by Swiss children to walking or cycling to school and attending sports activities was significantly higher and screen time significantly lower compared to the other ENERGY-countries. Within the Swiss, sample relatively large and consistent differences were observed between children from native and non-native ethnicity.ConclusionsThe prevalence of overweight and obesity among Swiss children are substantial but significantly lower compared to all other European ENERGY-Partners, probably due to the fact that Swiss children were found to be more active and less sedentary comparing to the rest of the European sample.

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Individual Differences in Sedentary Behavior During Adolescence

To investigate the degree to which genetic and environmental influences affect individual differences in sedentary behavior throughout adolescence. Cross-sectional twin-family design. Data on self-reported sedentary behavior from Dutch twins and their nontwin siblings. The total sample consisted of 5074 adolescent twins (aged 13-19 years) and 937 siblings (aged 12-20 years) from 2777 families. Screen-viewing sedentary behavior was assessed with survey items about weekly frequency of television viewing, playing electronic games, and computer/Internet use. Based on these items,an overall score for screen-viewing sedentary behavior was computed. The genetic architecture of screen-viewing sedentary behavior differed by age. Variation in sedentary behavior among 12-year-olds was accounted for by genetic (boys: 35%; girls: 19%), shared environmental (boys:29%; girls: 48%), and nonshared environmental (boys:36%; girls: 34%) factors. Variation in sedentary behavior among 20-year-olds was accounted for by genetic(boys: 48%; girls: 34%) and nonshared environmental(boys: 52%; girls: 66%) factors. The shift from shared environmental factors in the etiology of sedentary behavior among younger adolescents to genetic and nonshared environmental factors among older adolescents requires age-specific tailoring of intervention programs.