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The Association Between Sedentary Screen Time, Non-screen-based Sedentary Time, and Overweight in Chinese Preschool
Rui Hu1, Hui Zheng1, Congchao Lu2,3
1Department of Endocrinology, TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Insights
Sedentary screen time (SST) is linked to higher overweight risk in young children. Non-screen-based sedentary time (NSST) showed no correlation with childhood overweight in this study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Childhood Obesity
Background:
- Understanding sedentary behavior's impact on child weight is crucial.
- Different types of sedentary behaviors may have distinct effects on healthy weight.
- Research on sedentary screen time (SST) and non-screen-based sedentary time (NSST) in preschoolers is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between sedentary screen time (SST) and non-screen-based sedentary time (NSST) with overweight in Chinese preschoolers.
- To differentiate the impact of screen-based versus non-screen-based sedentary behaviors on child weight status.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing data from the Physical Activity and Health in Tianjin Chinese Children (PATH-CC) cohort.
- Involved 971 healthy Chinese children aged 3-6 years.
- Overweight status determined by international (IOTF) BMI cut-offs; SST and NSST quantified via parental questionnaires; logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates.
Main Results:
- 11.8% of the children were classified as overweight.
- Increased sedentary screen time (SST) was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of being overweight (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03-1.45).
- No significant correlation was found between non-screen-based sedentary time (NSST) and overweight status (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Sedentary screen time (SST) is a potential risk factor for overweight in young children.
- Non-screen-based sedentary time (NSST) does not appear to be associated with overweight in this population.
- Further longitudinal research is recommended to explore the relationship between screen media exposure and metabolic changes in early childhood.
Abstract:
Introduction: Less is known about the effects of the different domains of sedentary behaviors on healthy weight in young children. This cross-sectional study examined the association between sedentary screen time (SST), non-screen-based sedentary time (NSST), and overweight (and obesity) in Chinese preschoolers. Methods: Data were collected from the Physical Activity and Health in Tianjin Chinese Children study (PATH-CC), involving healthy children 3-6 years old and their families. Children's overweight status was classified according to the international (IOTF) childhood BMI cut-offs. SST and NSST were reported in minutes/day by parents using the leisure-time sedentary behaviors questionnaire. Logistic regression models adjusted by sex, age, socioeconomic status, outdoor play, and sleep duration were used. Results: In a total of 971 children (55.4% boys), 11.8% were overweight. Generally, children spent 1 h/day in SST and 1 h/day in NSST. Multiple models showed that children who spent more time in SST were more likely to be overweight [OR and 95% CI: 1.22 (1.03-1.45)]. No correlation between time spent on NSST and children with overweight was found (P > 0.05). Conclusions: This study indicated that children who spent more time in SST were more likely to be overweight, but a null correlation between NSST and overweight was found. Longitudinal studies designed to identify associations between exposures to screen media and changes in metabolic parameters during a child's early years are needed.
