title: Effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing screen time in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of interventions focused on reducing screen time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, ERIC, and CINAHL through April 21, 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Included studies were randomized controlled trials of children aged 18 years or younger with interventions that focused on reducing screen time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Efforts to reduce screen time.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was body mass index (BMI); the secondary outcome was screen time (hours per week).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1120 citations were screened, and 13 studies were included in the systematic review. Study samples ranged in age (3.9-11.7 years) and size (21-1295 participants). Interventions ranged in length (1-24 months) and recruitment location (5 in schools, 2 in medical clinics, 1 in a community center, and 5 from the community). For the primary outcome, the meta-analysis included 6 studies, and the difference in mean change in BMI in the intervention group compared with the control group was -0.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.28 to 0.09) (P = .32). The secondary outcome included 9 studies, and the difference in mean change from baseline in the intervention group compared with the control group was -0.90 h/wk (95% CI, -3.47 to 1.66 h/wk) (P = .49). A subgroup analysis of preschool children showed a difference in mean change in screen time of -3.72 h/wk (95% CI, -7.23 to -0.20 h/wk) (P = .04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our systematic review and meta-analysis did not demonstrate evidence of effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing screen time in children for reducing BMI and screen time. However, interventions in the preschool age group hold promise.
authors: Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Gita
authors: G
authors: Wahi
authors: Patricia C
authors: PC
authors: Parkin
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Beyene
authors: Elizabeth M
authors: EM
authors: Uleryk
authors: Catherine S
authors: CS
authors: Birken
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003201:Computers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013690:Television / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D018910:Video Games