Association Between Screen-Time and Dietary Habits Among Students Of 11-25 Years

Abstract

The continuous technological advancement has provided innovative and attractive electronic devices that led individuals to spend longer times in front of screens. Longer periods of screen time have been linked to poor dietary habits including higher consumption of sugar, low nutritional quality foods like french fries, refined grain products, snacks and desserts, lower intakes of fiber, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Objective: To compare the association between screen time and eating habits among the students of 11 to 25 years. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate eating habits and screen time of 150 students from different schools, colleges and universities of Lahore. Participants were selected through non-probability convenient sampling. Data were collected using a self- constructed questionnaire. In exclusion criteria, students off the selected age group, having no screen time and non-cooperative individuals were excluded. SPSS version 25.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Total participants of study were 150. Few of them were obese (8%) and more were overweight (26%). Some of them were spending 3-5 hours on screen (23%) while more were spending greater than 7 hours (32%). Mostly skipped breakfast (54%), delayed meals (45%), ate above planned limit (57%). Majority consumed fried food (56%) and sweets (44%) while using electronic gadgets. Conclusions: High prevalence of screen time had negatively affected student’s eating patterns. Students with longer screen time usually consumed fast food, junk food, sugary desserts, salty snacks and caffeinated beverages as snacks.