Physical activity, screen time, and school absenteeism: self-reports from NHANES 2005–2008

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine how lifestyle behaviors in the context of physical activity levels and screen time are associated with school absenteeism.

Methods We analyzed 2005–2008 NHANES data of proxy interviews for 1048 children aged 6–11 years and in-person self-reports of 1117 adolescents aged 12–18 years. Missing 10% of school days during the past school year was defined as severe school absenteeism (SSA).

Results Watching TV ≥2 hours a day was significantly associated with SSA among both children (OR = 3.51 [1.03–12.0]) and adolescents (OR = 3.96 [1.84–8.52]) compared with their peers watching <2 hours a day. A U-shaped association was identified between the level of physical activity and SSA among children. Both inactive children (OR = 12.4 [1.43–108]) and highly active children (14.8 [2.82–77.7]) had higher odds of SSA compared with children with medium levels of physical activity. No associations were observed for either children 0.57 ([0.16–1.99]) or adolescents (0.94 [0.44–2.03]) using a computer ≥3 hours a day.

Limitations Cross-sectional study involving self-reports. Transportation to and from school not included in physical activity assessment. Absenteeism was not validated with report cards. Unable to account for the absence type or frequency of illness or injury. No psychometric properties provided for subjective measures regarding participants’ attitudes and characteristic traits towards physical activity, TV viewing, and school attendance.

Conclusions Excessive TV watching among children and adolescents, and inactivity and high activity levels (≥7 times per week) among children are independently associated with severe school absenteeism.

Keywords:

• Computer
• NHANES
• physical activity
• school absenteeism
• TV watching

Declaration of funding

The authors have no funding source to declare.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

A.R.H., T.P., I.M., and J.Z. have disclosed that they have no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies related to this study or article.

CMRO peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to declare.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Georgia Southern University graduate students Alicia Williams and Senait Woldai who performed preliminary data analyses for the early draft. Comments on the early draft from a group of high school students were very provocative, especially, E.J. Zhang from Northview high school, and Josh Tam from John Creek high school, both in Georgia. Currently, E.J. is with Georgia Institute of Technology and Josh is with Princeton University. Sincere appreciation to the editorial team for editing and processing.