Abstract
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≤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.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thanks all the participants and schools involved in the study. This study is part of the NHF-NRG, and was funded by the Netherlands Heart Foundation (No. 2000Z003), the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports, and the Royal Association of Teachers of Physical Education.