Tim Olds1, Kate Ridley, Jim Dollman. 1. School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, PO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001. tim.olds@unisa.edu.au
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Excessive 'screen time' has been associated with a range of psychosocial disturbances and increasing pediatric obesity. This study describes the magnitude, distribution, composition and time-distribution of children's screen use; examines correlates of screen use; and characterises 'extreme' screen users (top quartile). METHODS: 1,039 South Australian children aged 10-13 years old completed a multimedia 24-hour activity recall diary on 2-4 occasions in 2002, including at least one school day and one non-school day. RESULTS: The median screen time was 229 minutes.d(-1). This was higher in boys (264 vs. 196 minutes; p<0.001) and on non-school days (260 vs. 190 minutes; p<0.001), increased with age (p=0.003), and decreased with socio-economic status (SES; p=0.003). Television consumed 73% of all screen time, video games 19%, non-game computer use 6%, and cinema 2%. The top quartile of screen users were more likely to be boys (OR=3.8), have low physical activity (OR=4.3), spend >25% of screen time playing video games (OR=1.8), sleep less, and be of lower SES. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Interventions to reduce screen time should target inactive, low-SES boys, encourage earlier bedtimes, and limit video game use.
OBJECTIVES: Excessive 'screen time' has been associated with a range of psychosocial disturbances and increasing pediatric obesity. This study describes the magnitude, distribution, composition and time-distribution of children's screen use; examines correlates of screen use; and characterises 'extreme' screen users (top quartile). METHODS: 1,039 South Australian children aged 10-13 years old completed a multimedia 24-hour activity recall diary on 2-4 occasions in 2002, including at least one school day and one non-school day. RESULTS: The median screen time was 229 minutes.d(-1). This was higher in boys (264 vs. 196 minutes; p<0.001) and on non-school days (260 vs. 190 minutes; p<0.001), increased with age (p=0.003), and decreased with socio-economic status (SES; p=0.003). Television consumed 73% of all screen time, video games 19%, non-game computer use 6%, and cinema 2%. The top quartile of screen users were more likely to be boys (OR=3.8), have low physical activity (OR=4.3), spend >25% of screen time playing video games (OR=1.8), sleep less, and be of lower SES. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Interventions to reduce screen time should target inactive, low-SES boys, encourage earlier bedtimes, and limit video game use.
Authors: Kristi B Adamo; Sophia Papadakis; Laurie Dojeiji; Micheline Turnau; Louise Simmons; Meena Parameswaran; John Cunningham; Andrew L Pipe; Robert D Reid Journal: Paediatr Child Health Date: 2010-11 Impact factor: 2.253
Authors: Sabrina Hense; Gianvincenzo Barba; Hermann Pohlabeln; Stefaan De Henauw; Staffan Marild; Dénes Molnar; Luis A Moreno; Charalampos Hadjigeorgiou; Toomas Veidebaum; Wolfgang Ahrens Journal: Sleep Date: 2011-05-01 Impact factor: 5.849