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Physical Activity and Screen Time Pattern among Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool Children: A descriptive Study from
Bipul K Das1, Sreejana Sharma1, Murchana Khound1
1Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Insights
Excessive screen time and inadequate physical activity are common in young children in Northeast India. The study highlights the need to balance screen time with physical activity for healthy child development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Child Development
Background:
- Excessive screen time negatively impacts children's physical activity, growth, and psychological development.
- It contributes to sedentary lifestyles, noncommunicable disease risk, and poor dietary habits.
- Understanding these patterns in early childhood is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe patterns of physical activity, restraint time, sleep time, and screen time in children aged 0-5 years.
- To compare these patterns with World Health Organization recommendations.
- To identify associations between screen time and dietary intake or anthropometric variables.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 102 children (infants, toddlers, preschool children).
- Data collected on daily screen time, physical activity, restraint time, sleep, and anthropometric measurements.
- Statistical analysis using Chi-square and Student's t-tests.
Main Results:
- Inadequate physical activity (12.7%), restraint time (5.9%), and sleep (18.6%) were observed.
- Excessive screen time was prevalent in 57.8% of children across all age groups.
- Screen time significantly correlated with junk food consumption and caloric intake, but not anthropometric variables.
Conclusions:
- Inadequate physical activity and excessive screen time are widespread issues among young children in Northeast India.
- Findings underscore the critical need to balance screen time with physical activity for optimal child well-being and development.
- Interventions promoting healthy habits are essential for this age group.
Abstract:
Excessive screen time has a significant negative impact on physical activity, growth, and psychological development and leads to a sedentary lifestyle, risk of noncommunicable diseases, and poor dietary behavior among children. This study was conducted to describe the pattern of physical activity, restraint time, sleep time, and screen time among preschool children. This cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 0-5 years. We recorded a detailed history, including daily average screen time and physical activity, restraint time, sleep time, and anthropometric measurements. These measurements were compared with the World Health Organization recommendation for the respective age groups. Statistical data was analyzed using Chi-square test and Student's "t" test. A total of 102 children (9 infants, 47 toddlers, and 46 preschool children) with a mean age of 34.3 (standard deviation [SD] 15.9) months participated in the study. Overall physical activity, restraint time, and sleep were inadequate in 12.7%, 5.9%, and 18.6%, respectively. Excess screen time was seen in 57.8% of children, with 55.5% infants, 59.5% toddlers, and 56.5% preschool children. There was a significant change in screen time with junk food consumption (P = 0.03) and daily caloric intake (P = 0.04), but there was no change in the screen time relation with anthropometric variables. To conclude inadequate physical activity and excessive screen time are prevalent among infants, toddlers, and preschool children from Northeast India. The study's findings provide insight into the importance of balancing screen time and physical activity to ensure the well-being and development of young children.
