Associations between socioeconomic position and changes in children’s screen-viewing between ages 6 and 9: a longitudinal study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo explore socioeconomic differences in screen-viewing at ages 6 and 9, and how these are related to different media uses.DesignLongitudinal cohort study.SettingChildren recruited from 57 state-funded primary schools in Southwest England, UK.Participants1299 children at ages 5–6, 1223 children at ages 8–9, including 685 children at both time points.Outcome measuresChildren’s total screen-viewing time (parent-reported) and time spent using multiple screen devices simultaneously (multiscreen viewing), for weekdays and weekends.MethodsNegative binomial regression was used to model associations between socioeconomic variables (highest household education and area deprivation) and total screen-viewing at age 6 and the change from age 6 to 9. We additionally adjusted for child characteristics, parental influences and media devices in the home. Multiscreen viewing was analysed separately.ResultsHousehold education was associated with children’s screen-viewing at age 6 with lower screen-viewing in higher socioeconomic groups (21%–27% less in households with a Degree or Higher Degree, compared with General Certificate of Secondary Education: GCSE). These differences were explained by the presence of games consoles, parental limits on screen-viewing and average parent screen-viewing. Between ages 6 and 9, there were larger increases in screen-viewing for children from A level and Degree households (13% and 6%, respectively, in the week) and a decrease in Higher Degree households (16%), compared with GCSE households. Differences by household education remained when adjusting for media devices and parental factors.ConclusionsChildren’s screen-viewing patterns differ by parental education with higher levels of viewing among children living in households with lower educational qualifications. These differences are already present at age 6, and continue at age 9. Strategies to manage child sedentary time, and particularly screen-viewing, may need to take account of the socioeconomic differences and target strategies to specific groups.

Differential exposure to, and potential impact of, unhealthy advertising to children by socio‐economic and ethnic groups: A systematic review of the evidence

“…Similar findings were found in another study by the same authors examining outdoor advertising in the UK—little difference in the nutritional content of advertised foods was observed between the most and least affluent areas, but the total advertising space was greatest in the least affluent areas 19 . For television advertising, the higher absolute exposure to unhealthy food advertising aligns with the relatively consistent findings in the literature that ethnic minority children or children from families with a lower SEP spend a greater amount of time watching television 39–42 . For outdoor advertising, a greater total exposure of advertising in lower SEP and ethnic minority neighbourhoods may reflect targeted advertising by corporations, cheaper advertising rates 43 or a higher density of stores and fast food outlets 44,45 .…”

Prospective Association of Maternal Educational Level with Child’s Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Diet Quality

“…Several studies, with both cross-sectional [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ] and longitudinal [ 23 , 24 , 25 ] designs, have shown an inverse association between parental educational level and the time spent in front of a screen in children. These findings are aligned with the results of the present study which additionally showed that a lower maternal educational level was predictive for not meeting screen-time recommendation for children.…”

“…Evidence suggests that maternal educational level, measured as a proxy of the child’s socioeconomic status, is related to the child’s diet quality, physical activity, and screen time [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Cross-sectional data indicates that children whose mothers have a low educational level are at higher risk of reporting an unhealthy diet, a low level of physical activity, and high level of screen time [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

“…Cross-sectional data aid in hypothesis generation and establish an association, but prospective studies are needed to determine whether these associations may change over time. However, prospective data is somewhat limited [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the association of baseline maternal educational level with child’s physical activity, screen time and dietary habits at follow-up, in a Spanish cohort.…”

Manual Dexterity is not Related to Media Viewing but is Related to Perceptual Bias in School-Age Children

“…In addition, socioeconomic status, such as education, income and deprivation, is associated with children's media viewing and health status. Many studies have found an increase in media viewing time and sedentary time as the socioeconomic status decreases [72][73][74][75][76][77][78]. An increase in sedentary time can lead to a decrease in the time spent engaging in play and sports activities, which in turn can reduce manual dexterity.…”