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Original Research
Availability and night-time use of electronic entertainment and communication devices are associated with short sleep duration and obesity among Canadian children
Article first published online: 7 SEP 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2012.00085.x
© 2012 The Authors. Pediatric Obesity © 2012 International Association for the Study of Obesity
Additional Information
How to Cite
Chahal, H., Fung, C., Kuhle, S. and Veugelers, P. J. (2013), Availability and night-time use of electronic entertainment and communication devices are associated with short sleep duration and obesity among Canadian children. Pediatric Obesity, 8: 42–51. doi: 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2012.00085.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 JAN 2013
- Article first published online: 7 SEP 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 27 JUN 2012
- Manuscript Revised: 31 MAY 2012
- Manuscript Received: 16 MAR 2012
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Childhood obesity;
- sleep;
- television;
- electronic media
Summary
What is already known about this subject
- Short sleep duration is a risk factor for obesity.
- Television (TV) in the bedroom has been shown to be associated with excess body weight in children.
- Children increasingly use other electronic entertainment and communication devices (EECDs) such as video games, computers, and smart phones.
What this study adds
- Access to and night-time use of EECDs are associated with shortened sleep duration, excess body weight, poorer diet quality, and lower physical activity levels.
- Our findings reinforce existing recommendations pertaining to TV and Internet access by the American Academy of Pediatrics and suggest to have these expanded to restricted availability of video games and smart phones in children's bedrooms.
Background
While the prevalence of childhood obesity and access to and use of electronic entertainment and communication devices (EECDs) have increased in the past decades, no earlier study has examined their interrelationship.
Objective
To examine whether night-time access to and use of EECDs are associated with sleep duration, body weights, diet quality, and physical activity of Canadian children.
Methods
A representative sample of 3398 grade 5 children in Alberta, Canada, was surveyed. The survey included questions on children's lifestyles and health behaviours, the Harvard Youth/Adolescent Food Frequency questionnaire, a validated questionnaire on physical activity, and measurements of heights and weights. Random effect models were used to assess the associations of night-time access to and use of EECDs with sleep, diet quality, physical activity, and body weights.
Results
Sixty-four percent of parents reported that their child had access to one or more EECDs in their bedroom. Access to and night-time use of EECDs were associated with shortened sleep duration, excess body weight, poorer diet quality, and lower physical activity levels in a statistically significant manner.
Conclusions
Limiting the availability of EECDs in children's bedrooms and discouraging their night-time use may be considered as a strategy to promote sleep and reduce childhood obesity.