Determinants of High Screen Time Use and Physical Inactivity Among High School Students in Texas: A 2001-2023...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Sedentary behaviors like excessive screen time and physical inactivity are prevalent among adolescents.
• Understanding the correlates of combined high screen time and low physical activity is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors associated with the dual behaviors of high screen time and physical inactivity in Texas high school students.
• To identify specific student subgroups at higher risk for this combined behavioral pattern.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study utilizing data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) of 32,227 Texas high school students (grades 9-12) from 2001-2023.
• Screen time defined as ≥3 hours/day (high) vs <3 hours/day (low). Physical activity defined as 0-3 days/week (low) vs >3 days/week of ≥60 minutes/day (high).
• Multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for confounders, examining associations with demographic, BMI, mental health, substance use, and dietary variables.

Main Results:

• Approximately 25% of students reported both high screen time and low physical activity.
• Female students (OR=1.75), Black, Hispanic, and Other/Multiracial students (ORs=2-3), and students perceiving themselves as very overweight (OR=2.5) had significantly higher odds of this combined behavior compared to their counterparts.
• Depression and drug use were associated with increased odds, while higher fruit and vegetable consumption demonstrated protective effects.

Conclusions:

• Comprehensive, culturally tailored interventions are necessary to address the co-occurrence of high screen time and physical inactivity.
• Interventions should prioritize underrepresented racial/ethnic groups and students experiencing mental health challenges, such as depression.