Association of Physical Activity and Screen Time With Body Mass Index Among US Adolescents
Authors' conclusion
In this cross-sectional study, a combination of low screen time and high step count was associated with lower BMI percentile in adolescents. These results suggest that high step count may not offset higher overweight or obesity risk for adolescents with high screen time, and low screen time may not offset higher overweight or obesity risk for adolescents with low step count. These findings addressed several research gaps identified by the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report and may be used to inform future screen time and physical activity guidance for adolescents.
Study context
- Population
- US adolescents aged 10 to 14 years, Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, 21 sites; 50.4% male, mean (SD) age 12.0 (0.6) years, 35.0% overweight or obesity
- Participants
- 5,797 adolescents
- Exposure
- Step count and screen time categories
- Outcome
- BMI percentile (CDC growth curves) and overweight or obesity (BMI ≥85th percentile for sex and age)
Methodological detailsmulticentre
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Body mass index (BMI) percentile: effect modification between screen time and step count
- Low screen use, medium step count: higher BMI percentile
- 1.55
- Low screen use, low step count: higher BMI percentile
- 7.48
- High screen use, low step count: higher BMI percentile
- 8.79
- High screen use, medium step count: higher BMI percentile
- 8.76
- High screen use, high step count: higher BMI percentile
- 8.26
- Evidence of effect modification between screen time and step count for BMI percentile
- Among high screen use, step count categories did not significantly change the association with higher BMI percentile
Screen time and step count (descriptive)
- Mean (SD) screen time, h/day
- 6.5 (5.4)
- Mean (SD) step count, steps/day
- 9246.6 (3111.3)
Original publication
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