Multipronged effects of increased screen time on the nutritional imbalance: A cross-sectional study of students of Amritsar aged 6-16 years

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Intense marketing of fast-food items impacts the eating habits among children and adolescents. Various studies suggest that increased screen time leads to increased fast-food consumption and decreased sleep duration, both of which are linked to obesity in growing age. Objectives: To assess screen time and dietary habits among the study group and to estimate their effect on sleep deprivation and obesity. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2019 in three schools in Amritsar selected by lottery method of simple random sampling. Out of 4,226 students, 355 overweight and obese students were interviewed regarding their dietary habits. An informed written assent was taken from the mothers. The information was collected on a semi-structured, pre-designed questionnaire by interviewing the mothers of students between 6 and 11 years of age and the students of 12–16 years. Results: 94.4% of students preferred fast foods to regular meals and 58.3% were in the habit of skipping breakfast. 59.4% had a history of daily intake of fast foods while 76.1% had a habit of consuming fast foods while watching television. Only 31.7% had an adequate sleeping pattern of 9–11 hours and 79.7% of the students had a screen time of over 3 hours. Conclusions: More the screen time, the more the chances of missing meals. Being awake for a long odd time leads to increased consumption of foods/snacks furthermore. Regarding the harmful effects of fast foods, the source of information was from schools, but only 41.4% were aware about these effects.