Television Time among Brazilian Adolescents: Correlated Factors are Different between Boys and Girls

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of excess television time and verify correlated factors in adolescent males and females. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 2,105 adolescents aged from 13 to 18 years from the city of Aracaju, Northeastern Brazil. Television time was self-reported, corresponding to the time spent watching television in a typical week. Several correlates were examined including age, skin color, socioeconomic status, parent education, physical activity level, consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking status, alcohol use, and sports team participation. Results. The prevalence excess television time (≥2 hours/day) in girls and boys was 70.9% and 66.2%, respectively. Girls with low socioeconomic status or inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables were more likely to have excess television time. Among boys, those >16 years of age or with black skin color were more likely to have excess television time. Conclusions. Excess television time was observed in more than two-thirds of adolescents, being more evident in girls. Correlated factors differed according to sex. Efforts to reduce television time among Brazilian adolescents, and replace with more active pursuits, may yield desirable public health benefits.

Sedentary behavior based on screen time: prevalence and associated sociodemographic factors in adolescents

“…However, both studies used cutoff points different than those used in the present study (≥ 3 hours and > 3 hours, respectively). Sur- veys conducted in Brazil 8,13 and Colombia 27 using a two-hour cutoff point and found a prevalence of excessive TV use time similar to the present study. Most studies use PC and VG use variables together 6,12,27 , although different factors are associated with each of the behaviors 6,14 .…”

“…Different studies around the world have shown that exposure to screen time is significantly different between boys and girls [7][8][9][11][12][13] . The use of VG and PC was higher among boys in studies conducted in the United States 11 and South Korea 12 .…”

“…This variable was used to be socioeconomic indicator, with predictive power for health and well being of adolescents 22 . In addition, the high maternal education is associated with better living conditions and a healthier lifestyle 6,[8][9][10][11]13 .…”

“…Sociodemographic factors are associated with the time that adolescents spend sitting in front of these electronic 7,[11][12][13] . For example, in a study of European adolescents, the time sitting in front of the TV was higher in adolescents with worse socioeconomic indicators.…”

“…Some studies have investigated only time that adolescents would sit in front of the TV, and others have investigated the time that young people passed in front of the PC and VG [8][9][10]13 . This study aims to verify in the same sample which factors are associated with different types of sedentary behaviors based on screen time.…”