New media development, sleep and lifestyle in children and adolescents

Abstract

The number of children using portable electronic devices and the Internet has been on the increase in recent years. This study aimed to analyse how the overuse of various types of electronic devices and the Internet interfere with the sleep patterns and lifestyle of children and adolescents. This study group included 376 participants (189 girls, 187 boys) aged 6–15. The body composition estimates were obtained by means of a foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis whereas the body height was measured with the use of a stadiometer. The questionnaire survey consisted of questions concerning the children’s lifestyle, new media use, eating and sleeping habits, their physical activity as well as their socio-demographic data. The correlation of the two variables was calculated with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Correspondingly, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were measured. This study indicated that the use of the media resulted in a significant drop in the study group’s physical activity but also had a negative association with their sleeping and eating habits. In conclusion, health professionals ought to provide parents with more guidance on appropriate new media use.