Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
Published on: July 27, 2022
Psychological symptoms are associated with screen and exercise time: a cross-sectional study of Chinese adolescents
Feng Zhang1,2, Xiaojian Yin3,4,5, Cunjian Bi1,2
1Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
Background:
Mental disorders among adolescents have become a worldwide public health problem. This study aimed to estimate the best combination of exercise time and screen time to promote the mental health of Chinese adolescents.
Methods:
Participants included 7200 Chinese adolescents aged 13-18 years from six regions of China. Screen and exercise time data were collected via a self-rated questionnaire. Psychological symptoms (e.g., often feeling depressed, school-weary) were evaluated with the "Multidimensional Sub-health Questionnaire of Adolescents". Chi-squared tests and logistic regression analysis were conducted to investigate the differences in and correlations among screen time, exercise time, and psychological symptoms.
Results:
The overall detection rate of psychological symptoms among Chinese adolescents was 21.4% (22.1% for boys and 20.6% for girls). Psychological symptom detection rates were lowest among adolescents with 1-2 h/d of screen time (19.5%) and those with 30-60 min/d of exercise time (17.3%). Screen time > 2 h/d (OR = 1.38, P < 0.001) and exercise time < 30 min/d (OR = 1.62, P < 0.001) were positively correlated with psychological symptoms.
Conclusion:
Screen and exercise time are associated with psychological symptoms in Chinese adolescents. A combination of 1-2 h/d of screen time and 30-60 min/d of exercise time is provided as a reference for better mental health.
Related Concept Videos
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Bullying
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....

