More time in front of screens is associated with worsening adolescent diets

How much spend more time in front of screens (television, video games or cell phone and/or tablets), the quality of adolescents’ diet is worse , points out a Brazilian study carried out by researchers from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). Excessive screen use is associated with a greater risk of overweight and obesity, as well as low levels of physical activity, shorter sleep duration, and lower health-related quality of life.

According to search74.4% of the adolescents assessed showed excessive screen use, which means that approximately three out of four spend more than two hours a day in front of screens exceeding the limit of two hours per day recommended for this age group by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

To reach the results, the researchers analyzed data from 1,200 primary and secondary school students, enrolled in 30 public schools in Curitiba – including children and adolescents between 10 and 19 years old.

Screen time was collected separately, considering the three types of devices: television, video games and portable screens (computer, cell phone and tablet). Students indicated the number of times they used each device and the time so that the average weekly use of each device could be calculated.

After that, they answered a questionnaire about their eating habits and the frequency of consumption of various items, which made it possible to classify the quality of the diet as low, medium or high. The researchers made adjustments for several variables, such as gender and age group, health-related behaviors (physical exercise and diet quality index), income in the school environment and, finally, the environment built for physical activity.

According to the research, the television was the device with the most excessive time (56.5%), followed by portable screens (53.2%) and video games (22%). The variable that was significantly associated with excessive TV time was worsening of diet quality which reinforces that the time young people spend in front of the TV is directly linked to unhealthy eating habits and the consumption of ultra-processed foods.

Ultra-processed foods are those foods that have undergone a major transformation in the industry and contain good doses of additives, such as dyes, preservatives and flavors, capable of changing color, texture, flavor and aroma – cosmetic additives used to make them more palatable and attractive. These foods include breakfast cereals, sausages, cookies, snacks, ready meals, soft drinks, boxed juices, chocolates and candies, among many others.

According to nutritionist Serena del Fávero, from Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, a poor quality diet rich in ultra-processed foods during adolescence can have significant impacts on the health of this young person favoring the development of overweight and obesity and increasing the risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular problems, type 2 diabetes and even some types of cancer.

“In addition, the consumption of inadequate nutrients can affect growth and physical development, in addition to compromising cognitive function and academic performance,” he warned.

The nutritionist also highlights that eating habits formed in childhood and adolescence often persist into adulthood, increasing the risk of long-term health problems. “A poor-quality diet in adolescence not only affects current health, but also lays the foundation for future health problems,” she said.

According to nutritionist Gabriela Mieko, from the Einstein specialist team, increased screen time is associated with a worsening in the quality of teenagers' diets for several reasons: firstly, because, in most cases, this time coincides with the consumption of snacks and snacks, which tend to be of low nutritional quality and rich in sugars, saturated fats and salt. “This occurs because adolescents’ attention is divided, which can lead to less control over the quantity and quality of what is consumed,” she said.

Furthermore, reinforces Mieko, advertising for ultra-processed foods, which are highly palatable but nutritionally poor, tends to be prevalent during screen time, further encouraging the consumption of these products. “Thus, the environment created by screen time favors less healthy food choices, contributing to a worsening in the quality of food,” he says.

How to seek balance

The popularization of access to computers, cell phones and tablets has expanded the range of electronic devices to be considered in terms of screen time. This is a technology that is increasingly present in the routine of teenagers, including at school, and especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. Given this scenario, what would be the way to improve the quality of the diet and adherence to physical activity?

“Incorporating educational actions about the importance of nutrition and physical activity for health in the school environment is very important. Along with this, encouraging your teenager to participate in sports and physical activities organized at school or in the community can offer fun and social alternatives to screen time and protect against a sedentary lifestyle. Finally, the involvement of parents and guardians is essential to promote a family environment that values ​​nutritious meals and physical activity, reinforcing healthy habits”, highlights Fávero.

According to nutritionist Mieko, the fact that yet another Brazilian study highlights the relationship between screen time, diet quality and physical activity highlights a growing public health problem and provides data that can guide public policies and intervention programs adapted to the Brazilian reality.

“In addition, the need for multidisciplinary actions involving family members, educators, health professionals, governments and civil society is reinforced to address challenges in an integrated manner, promoting healthy lifestyles among adolescents, contributing to the improvement of public health and the well-being of the Brazilian population”, he concludes.