Duration: 2021-2026
Abstract: Screen time (ST) (ie, television-TV, computer-PC, electronic games, tablets and smartphones) is a prevalent behavior across the life span, very problematic among children, and often associated with broader sedentary behavior exposure. The increasing use of portable media devices and the abundant access to unlimited content may be leading to new patterns of consumption, exposing youth to health problems and putting them at risk of a shorter life and/or a live with poorer health conditions. Evidence from observational and experimental studies support a direct link between ST and obesity in children, adolescents and adults and more recently, an association has been described between TV viewing and poor mental health outcomes. In spite of the accumulated data from cross-sectional studies showing the negative association of screen time and health, little is known about the longitudinal patterns of change of screen exposure at life-course epochs from early childhood, to adolescence, and young adulthood, and how this may relate to early childhood and adulthood health outcomes. To date, only three studies worldwide have investigated the long-term effects of childhood screen exposure, linking childhood TV watching to higher body mass index in adulthood. Moreover, most studies have tended to only report a single tracking coefficient; have used generalized estimating equations to describe a single sample trajectory which oversimplifies the potentially complex longitudinal patterns of screen exposure; and do not account the use of modern screen media devices. To ensure that children grow and flourish, a timely and accurate population data on health, ST, nutrition, among other entitlements, is needed. Through the design of a longitudinal study following pre-school children (aged 3 to 5 years) from Coimbra, this project will explore patterns of media devices use and how screen exposure contributes to the burden of obesity, depression, anxiety, and stress manifested early in life. Studying early years is needed given that in those lay the foundation for a healthy life course, and behaviors learned at that age provide the basis for later development and support a strong national polity and economy. Specific objectives of this plan include the estimation of traditional (TV, PC, electronic games) and new media screen (tablet, smartphone) use; identification of trajectories and covariates of ST; and exploration of socioeconomic inequalities in the relationships between screen use, childhood obesity and mental health problems over critical developmental periods. The possible moderating effect of other factors (ie, physical activity) on the relationship between screen exposure, obesity and mental health will be investigated. Findings will allow to identify windows of opportunity for interventions to reduce ST, obesity and mental health problems, with positive outcomes on individual’s wellbeing, productivity and the economy, besides adding to the scientific knowledge.
Coordinator: Daniela Rodrigues
Financial support: FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, 3ª Edição do Concurso de Estímulo ao Emprego Científico
Reference: 2020.03966.CEEIND