Physical Activity Levels and Screen Time among Youth with Overweight/Obesity Using Mental Health Services

Area of Science:

• Pediatric mental health
• Obesity prevention
• Lifestyle medicine

Background:

• Youth with mental illness exhibit higher obesity rates than the general population.
• Physical activity and reduced screen time are key recommendations for childhood obesity management.
• Overweight/obese youth receiving mental health care present unique challenges for lifestyle interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen time in overweight/obese youth undergoing mental health treatment.
• To identify demographic and clinical factors associated with MVPA and screen time in this population.
• To inform targeted lifestyle interventions for pediatric obesity within mental health services.

Main Methods:

• A 12-month weight management randomized clinical trial involving overweight/obese youth (aged 8-18) receiving mental health services.
• Baseline assessment of MVPA using accelerometers and self-reported screen time.
• Analysis using adjusted general linear models to identify associations.

Main Results:

• Higher MVPA was associated with younger age (p=0.012), male sex (p=0.013), and lower BMI z-scores (p=0.014).
• Increased screen time was significantly associated with Black participants (p=0.007).
• Participant demographics (sex, age, race) influenced physical activity and screen time levels.

Conclusions:

• Targeted lifestyle interventions for overweight/obese youth in mental health care require tailoring based on sex, age, and race.
• Understanding subgroup differences in physical activity and screen time is crucial for effective obesity management.
• Further research should focus on culturally sensitive and individualized approaches to promote healthy lifestyles in this vulnerable population.