Screen Exposure and Childhood Adiposity in Socially Vulnerable Settings: Cross-Sectional Study

Screen-based media use among children has been increasing, particularly in lower socioeconomic groups. As this behavior is linked to obesogenic habits, it is crucial to examine the associations between screen-based media use and adiposity in primary schoolchildren, particularly those from socially vulnerable contexts, such as children from the Educational Territories of Priority Intervention program.

This study aimed to examine the associations between screen-based media use and adiposity in primary schoolchildren from socially vulnerable contexts.

This study, part of the BeE-school Project, included 735 children (mean age 7.7, SD 1.2 years; n=380, 51.7% boys and n=355, 48.3% girls) from 10 primary schools located in vulnerable contexts in northern Portugal. Researchers recorded weight, height, and waist circumference and calculated BMI z scores and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Screen-based media use was reported by parents using the ScreenQ tool, which includes 4 domains (screen access, frequency of use, media content, and caregiver-child coviewing). Sociodemographic and anthropometric data of parents were obtained via a questionnaire. Generalized linear models were applied.

A higher screen-based media use score was associated with higher BMI z scores and WHtR (b=0.064, 95% CI 0.034-0.094 and b=0.002, 95% CI 0.001-0.003, respectively) even after adjusting for children's sex and age and parents' education and BMI. Significant associations (P<.05) were also observed for the domains of screen access, frequency of use, and media content.

Screen-based media use is linked to higher BMI and WHtR in vulnerable children. Reducing screen access, limiting use frequency, and curating media content could improve health outcomes. Interventions for obesity prevention should consider these factors.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05395364; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05395364.