Authors:

Dominic Lucas

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About Paper:

Background: In an increasingly digital era, excessive screen time has become an alarming concern in children. Concurrently, the United States is witnessing an unprecedented surge in childhood obesity, necessitating an exploration into the relationship between screen activities and weight-related problems in children. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the association(s) between childhood obesity and excessive screen time use among children in the U.S. through evaluation and critical assessment of comparative studies addressing the issue. Methods: Our sources were obtained from select databases (Google Scholar, Pubmed) with limitations regarding language and location, excluding the prominence of date. Specific words used for our collection included "excessive screen time," "obesity," "children/adolescents," and other terms associated with the correlation between screen time and obesity in children/adolescents. Our criteria for assessment of particular literature called for studies that evaluated children/adolescents longitudinally and/or analyzed how specific determinants may have incited the presence of obesity. Results: Our initial analysis suggests a noteworthy association between the variables under investigation, which may indicate a positive correlation. Particular studies highlighted that children aged 4-11, spending more than 2 hours daily on screens, exhibited increased prevalence of unhealthy eating habits and reduced physical activity, contributing to a spike in childhood obesity. A longitudinal study involving 7,105 adolescents, each having a daily screen time of up to 3 hours, discovered that 43% of these participants were classified as obese in adulthood, emphasizing the lasting impact of early excessive screen exposure. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive public health initiatives to raise awareness about the effects of excessive screen time on children's health. Implementing evidence-based strategies aimed at active lifestyles and balanced screen time is crucial to curbing the escalating rates of childhood obesity. Exploring the Link between Childhood Obesity and

Source:

University of Florida / Dominic Lucas, Marijus Maksvytis, Tessa Santelli / 2023

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Co-authors:

Dominic Lucas