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Availability and night‐time use of electronic entertainment and communication devices are associated with short sleep duration and obesity among C anadian children
Author(s) -
Chahal H.,
Fung C.,
Kuhle S.,
Veugelers P. J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pediatric obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.226
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 2047-6310
pISSN - 2047-6302
DOI - 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2012.00085.x
Subject(s) - bedroom , screen time , childhood obesity , medicine , obesity , entertainment , duration (music) , sleep (system call) , physical activity , body mass index , gerontology , physical therapy , overweight , computer science , pathology , engineering , visual arts , operating system , art , civil engineering , literature
SummaryWhat is already known about this subject Short sleep duration is a risk factor for obesity. Television (TV) in the bedroom has been shown to be associated with excess body weight in children. Children increasingly use other electronic entertainment and communication devices (EECDs) such as video games, computers, and smart phones.What this study adds Access to and night‐time use of EECDs are associated with shortened sleep duration, excess body weight, poorer diet quality, and lower physical activity levels. Our findings reinforce existing recommendations pertaining to TV and Internet access by the American Academy of Pediatrics and suggest to have these expanded to restricted availability of video games and smart phones in children's bedrooms.Background While the prevalence of childhood obesity and access to and use of electronic entertainment and communication devices ( EECD s) have increased in the past decades, no earlier study has examined their interrelationship. Objective To examine whether night‐time access to and use of EECD s are associated with sleep duration, body weights, diet quality, and physical activity of C anadian children. Methods A representative sample of 3398 grade 5 children in A lberta, C anada, was surveyed. The survey included questions on children's lifestyles and health behaviours, the H arvard Y outh/ A dolescent F ood F requency questionnaire, a validated questionnaire on physical activity, and measurements of heights and weights. Random effect models were used to assess the associations of night‐time access to and use of EECD s with sleep, diet quality, physical activity, and body weights. Results Sixty‐four percent of parents reported that their child had access to one or more EECD s in their bedroom. Access to and night‐time use of EECD s were associated with shortened sleep duration, excess body weight, poorer diet quality, and lower physical activity levels in a statistically significant manner. Conclusions Limiting the availability of EECD s in children's bedrooms and discouraging their night‐time use may be considered as a strategy to promote sleep and reduce childhood obesity.