Screen time is associated with adiposity and insulin resistance in children

Nightingale, C. M., Rudnicka, A. R., Donin, A. S., Sattar, N. , Cook, D. G., Whincup, P. H. and Owen, C. G. (2017) Screen time is associated with adiposity and insulin resistance in children. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 102(7), pp. 612-616. (doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-312016) (PMID:28288985) (PMCID:PMC5519944)

Abstract

Higher screen time is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk in adults, but the association with T2D risk markers in children is unclear. We examined associations between self-reported screen time and T2D risk markers in children. Survey of 4495 children aged 9-10 years who had fasting cardiometabolic risk marker assessments, anthropometry measurements and reported daily screen time; objective physical activity was measured in a subset of 2031 children. Compared with an hour or less screen time daily, those reporting screen time over 3 hours had higher ponderal index (1.9%, 95% CI 0.5% to 3.4%), skinfold thickness (4.5%, 0.2% to 8.8%), fat mass index (3.3%, 0.0% to 6.7%), leptin (9.2%, 1.1% to 18.0%) and insulin resistance (10.5%, 4.9% to 16.4%); associations with glucose, HbA1c, physical activity and cardiovascular risk markers were weak or absent. Associations with insulin resistance remained after adjustment for adiposity, socioeconomic markers and physical activity. Strong graded associations between screen time, adiposity and insulin resistance suggest that reducing screen time could facilitate early T2D prevention. While these observations are of considerable public health interest, evidence from randomised controlled trials is needed to suggest causality. [Abstract copyright: Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.]

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Adiposity, childhood, type 2 diabetes.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sattar, Professor Naveed
• Authors: Nightingale, C. M., Rudnicka, A. R., Donin, A. S., Sattar, N., Cook, D. G., Whincup, P. H., and Owen, C. G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Archives of Disease in Childhood
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 0003-9888
• ISSN (Online): 1468-2044
• Published Online: 13 March 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Archives of Disease in Childhood 102(7): 612-616
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license