Relationship between screen time and metabolic syndrome in adolescents.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
The primary objective was to determine the dose-response relation between screen time (television + computer) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescents.

METHODS:
The study sample included 1803 adolescents (12-19 years) from the 1999-04 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Average daily screen time (combined television, computer and video game use) was self-reported. MetS was defined according to adolescent criteria linked to the adult criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program (> or =3 of high triglycerides, high fasting glucose, high waist circumference, high blood pressure and low HDL cholesterol).

RESULTS:
After adjustment for relevant covariates, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for MetS increased in a dose-response manner (P(trend) < 0.01) across < or =1 h/day (1.00, referent), 2 h/day (1.21, 0.54-2.73), 3 h/day (2.16, 0.99-4.74), 4 h/day (1.73, 0.72-4.17) and > or =5 h/day (3.07, 1.48-6.34) screen time categories. Physical activity had a minimal impact on the relation between screen time and MetS.

CONCLUSIONS:
Screen time was associated with an increased likelihood of MetS in a dose-dependent manner independent of physical activity. These findings suggest that lifestyle-based public health interventions for youth should include a specific component aimed at reducing screen time.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Mark, Amy E (AE); Janssen, Ian (I);

Affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, 69 Union Street, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of public health (Oxford, England) (J Public Health (Oxf)), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 30 (issue 2) : pp 153-60

Dates: Created 2008/05/20; Completed 2008/08/05;

PMID: 18375469, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Metabolic Syndrome X - epidemiology
Motor Activity
Nutrition Surveys
Obesity - epidemiology
Risk Factors
Television
Time Factors
United States - epidemiology
Video Games

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.