Dose-response associations between screen time and overweight among youth.
OBJECTIVE
To examine dose-response associations between screen time and overweight, independent of physical activity and dietary intake.


METHODS
Participants were 580 Dutch youth (13 years; 48% boys). Body mass index, waist circumference and skinfold thickness at four sites determined weight status. Questionnaires examined television viewing and computer use, participation in organized sport and high caloric snack and sugar-containing beverage consumption.


RESULTS
There were no significant associations among boys. Compared with girls spending less than two hours/day in screen time, those who spent three to four hours/day were more likely to be classified as overweight by waist circumference (odds ratio [OR]=3.4; 95% confidence intervals [CI]=1.1-10.7; p=0.03), and this likelihood increased substantially among those spending more than four hours/day (OR=5.5; 95% CI=2.1-14.1; p<or=0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Girls who spend three or more hours/day in screen time are at increased risk of being classified as overweight by waist circumference.
Hume
Clare
C
Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, Burwood Victoria, Australia. clare.hume@deakin.edu.au
Singh
Amika
A
Brug
Johannes
J
Mechelen
Willem van
Wv
Chinapaw
Marijke
M
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003201:Computers; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D016017:Odds Ratio; D050177:Overweight / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television; D013997:Time Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference