Daniela Rodrigues1, Augusta Gama2, Aristides M Machado-Rodrigues3, Helena Nogueira4, Vítor Rosado-Marques5, Maria-Raquel G Silva6, Cristina Padez7. 1. CIAS - Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Ed. São Bento, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Ed. São Bento, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: rodrigues1323@gmail.com. 2. CIAS - Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Ed. São Bento, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal. 3. CIAS - Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Ed. São Bento, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; High School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Campus Politécnico Santa Maria, 3504-510, Viseu, Portugal. 4. CIAS - Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Ed. São Bento, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal. 5. CIAS - Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Ed. São Bento, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estr. da Costa, 1495-751, Cruz Quebrada, Lisbon, Portugal. 6. CIAS - Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Ed. São Bento, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Health Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, Praça de 9 de Abril 349, 4249-004, Porto, Portugal. 7. CIAS - Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Ed. São Bento, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Ed. São Bento, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The literature has shown a widespread use of portable electronic devices among children over the last years. This study aimed to identify the availability of different media devices at home versus in children's bedroom according to the socioeconomic status (SES), and analyze the association between that availability and children's screen- and sleep-time on week and weekend days. METHODS: Data from 3 to 10 year-old children (n = 8430) from a cross-sectional study conducted in Portugal (2016/17) was used. Screen- and sleep-time, availability of media devices, father and mother education (as a proxy measured of SES) were assessed via questionnaire. RESULTS: Available devices at home were significantly more common among high-SES families; while media devices in the bedroom were more frequent in low-SES families (p < 0.001). In preschool and elementary school-aged children, media devices in the bedroom were associated with increase screen-time and shorter sleep per day. Also, mobile devices in the bedroom were shown to exert similar, or even more, influence on children's screen- and sleep-time as television. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to explore the pathways by which different electronic media negatively impacts on children's sleep and screen-time and to develop effective strategies to minimize device access at bedtime.
BACKGROUND: The literature has shown a widespread use of portable electronic devices among children over the last years. This study aimed to identify the availability of different media devices at home versus in children's bedroom according to the socioeconomic status (SES), and analyze the association between that availability and children's screen- and sleep-time on week and weekend days. METHODS: Data from 3 to 10 year-old children (n = 8430) from a cross-sectional study conducted in Portugal (2016/17) was used. Screen- and sleep-time, availability of media devices, father and mother education (as a proxy measured of SES) were assessed via questionnaire. RESULTS: Available devices at home were significantly more common among high-SES families; while media devices in the bedroom were more frequent in low-SES families (p < 0.001). In preschool and elementary school-aged children, media devices in the bedroom were associated with increase screen-time and shorter sleep per day. Also, mobile devices in the bedroom were shown to exert similar, or even more, influence on children's screen- and sleep-time as television. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to explore the pathways by which different electronic media negatively impacts on children's sleep and screen-time and to develop effective strategies to minimize device access at bedtime.
Authors: Armando Cocca; Martin Niedermeier; Vera Prünster; Katharina Wirnitzer; Clemens Drenowatz; Klaus Greier; Karin Labek; Gerhard Ruedl Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-06 Impact factor: 4.614