Screen Time Parenting Practices and Associations with Preschool Children's TV Viewing and Weight-Related Outcomes

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Cody D Neshteruk1, Gina L Tripicchio2, Stephanie Lobaugh3

  • 1Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, 200 Morris Street, Durham, NC 27701, USA.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|July 24, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Parenting practices significantly influence young children's screen time (ST) and weight. Limiting screen time reduces TV viewing and BMI, while using it as a reward increases obesity risks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
  • Excessive screen time (ST) in early childhood is linked to adverse health outcomes.
  • Parenting practices play a crucial role in shaping children's behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between screen time (ST) parenting practices and children's TV viewing and weight status.
  • To analyze these associations in children aged 2-5 years.

Main Methods:

  • Data from 252 parent-child dyads in a childhood obesity prevention trial (2009-2012).
  • Assessed ST parenting practices via survey at baseline.
  • Measured child TV viewing and anthropometrics at baseline, 35 weeks, and 59 weeks.
  • Utilized marginal effect models to analyze associations.

Main Results:

  • Limiting/monitoring ST correlated with reduced weekly TV viewing (β = -1.79).
  • Parental use of ST as a reward was linked to increased child BMI z-score (β = 0.15).
  • Limiting/monitoring ST was associated with decreased BMI z-score (β = -0.16) and waist circumference (β = -0.55).

Conclusions:

  • Parenting strategies for managing screen time (ST) are vital for reducing TV habits.
  • Modifying ST parenting practices can be an effective approach to promote healthy weight in young children.
  • Interventions targeting parental ST practices may help mitigate childhood obesity risks.

Keywords:
obesityparenting practicespreschool childrenscreen mediascreen time

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