Identifying Technology Associated with Weight Status and Health Problems in Children Referred for Weight Management
Journal Title: Journal of Obesity and Chronic Diseases - Year 2018, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify possible behavioral targets among children referred to a pediatric weight management clinic to improve weight and health status. Methods: Parents of 135 children participated by completing a survey which included questions on child demographics and child behaviors. Associations were examined between child behaviors and two clinically relevant outcomes: weight status (BMI z-score) and weight-related health problems. Results: Controlling for child demographics (age, gender), heavier weight status was associated with child behaviors of less sleep, less physical activity, more screen time, and more fruit and vegetable consumption (R2 = .32). Follow-up analyses revealed that weight was most associated with cell phone in comparison to other technology such as television, computers, and games (R2 = .23). Controlling for child demographics, health problems were associated with more screen time (R2 = .22), with follow-up analyses revealing health problems most associated with cell phone and computer use (R2 = .23). Conclusions: Interventions targeting increases in sleep, increased in physical activity, and decreases in screen time (especially cell phone use), may be useful for reducing weight status (BMI z-score) of obese children. Interventions targeting decreases in both cell phone and computer time may be useful for reducing obesity-related health problems in these children.
Authors and Affiliations
Marsha B. Novick, Helen M. Hendy, Whitney Adams, Keith Williams
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP322763
- DOI 10.17756/jocd.2018-012
- Views 114
- Downloads 0
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