The Association of Contemporary Screen Behaviours with Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep in Adolescents: a Cross-sectional Analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study

Abstract

Background Screen behaviours are highly prevalent in adolescents and may be adversely associated with physical and mental health. Understanding how screen behaviours inter-relate with physical activity and sleep may help to clarify pathways through which they impact health and potential routes to behaviour change. This cross-sectional study examines the association of contemporary screen behaviours with physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep in adolescents. Method Data are from sweep 6 (2015/2016) of the Millennium Cohort Study, conducted when participants were aged 14 years. Outcome variables were accelerometer-assessed overall physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), self-reported sedentary behaviour and sleep duration. Screen behaviours were assessed using a 24-h time-use diary. Multivariable regression was used to examine the association between screen behaviours and each outcome variable separately for weekdays and weekend days. Results The use of social network sites was associated with (beta coefficient, 95% confidence interval (CI); minutes/day) less time in MVPA (weekdays: − 5.2 (− 10.3, − 0.04); weekend: − 10.0 (− 15.5, − 4.5)), and sedentary behaviours (weekdays: − 19.8 (− 31.0, − 8.6); weekend: − 17.5 (− 30.9, − 4.1)). All screen behaviours were associated with shorter sleep duration on weekdays, whereas only the use of email/texts and social network sites was associated with shorter sleep duration on weekend days. The association of using social network sites with overall physical activity was stronger in girls than in boys; the association of internet browsing with sedentary behaviour was stronger in boys than in girls. Conclusion Intervention strategies to enhance MVPA and sleep duration by limiting screen-based activities may be warranted.

Association between physical activity and affects in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

“…This association is determined by the ability of PA to promote positive emotional states related to interest, motivation, enthusiasm, and alertness. In addition to the widely described benefits that regular PA has on physical health (Kontostoli et al, 2023), given the global context, it is essential for the mental health of our college students to promote an active lifestyle. Regular PA may contribute to the proper management of stress, adaptation in times of uncertainty, and the promotion of positive emotional states that allow them to continue to cope with the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into routines.…”

Patterns of physical activity in hunter-gatherer children compared with US and UK children

“…Accelerations are presented as a continuous measure across the recording (mean mg ENMO) and subset into standard thresholds (Sedentary ≤ 50mg < Light ≤ 100mg < Moderate ≤ 400mg < Vigorous) consistent with previous research. 70, 71 MVPA is a sum of all the minutes in moderate or vigorous intensities. Thresholds are presented as an unbouted measure, summing all time per day within an intensity threshold.…”

Loneliness in the Digital World: protocol for a co-produced ecological momentary assessment study in adolescents

“…18 This is consistent with trends observed in other Western populations. 19 Samples in the USA and the UK (2021–2022) estimate that the time adolescents spend on smartphones and social media ranges between 1.5 hours to 8.5 hours per day, 20 with most adolescents spending between 1 and 3 hours per day. 18 Social media platforms provide nearly constant opportunities for individuals to connect and interact with others, irrespective of the time of day or geographical location.…”