Screen time and metabolic risk factors among adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between screen time (ST) (ie, television/DVD/video and computer use) guidelines and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and fatty liver diseases in mid-adolescence.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
High schools in Sydney, Australia.


METHODS
Grade 10 students (N = 496; 58% boys; mean [SD] age, 15.4 [0.4] years).


METHODS
Body mass index, waist circumference, cardiorespiratory endurance, dietary factors, socioeconomic status, and pubertal status.


METHODS
Screen time was categorized as less than 2 hours per day or 2 or more hours per day and calculated for weekday, weekend, and the entire week. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for levels of high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, and glucose; homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); levels of alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; and blood pressure. Abnormal results were categorized according to published guidelines.


RESULTS
Mean ST for all students was 3.1 hours per day and for weekdays and weekend days, 2.6 hours per day and 4.4 hours per day, respectively. Boys were more likely to exceed ST guidelines than girls (odds ratio [OR], 2.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67-4.38). There were no significant associations between ST guidelines and metabolic risk factors among girls. After adjusting for potential confounders, boys who exceeded ST guidelines on weekdays were more likely to have elevated HOMA-IR (adjusted OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.11-5.28) and insulin levels (adjusted OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.43-5.23).


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescent boys with ST of 2 or more hours per day on weekdays have twice the risk of abnormal levels of insulin and HOMA-IR compared with peers with ST less than 2 hours per day on weekdays. These results suggest there is an increased risk of insulin resistance among adolescent boys who do not meet ST guidelines on weekdays.
Hardy
Louise L
LL
Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Research Group, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia. louiseh@health.usyd.edu.au
Denney-Wilson
Elizabeth
E
Thrift
Aaron P
AP
Okely
Anthony D
AD
Baur
Louise A
LA
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001315:Australia; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016288:Computer Terminals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011627:Puberty; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013690:Television; D013997:Time Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference