Physical activity protects children from the adverse effects of digital
media on their weight later in adolescence

Date:
August 9, 2021
Source:
University of Helsinki
Summary:
Children's heavy digital media use is associated with a risk of
being overweight later in adolescence. Physical activity protects
children from the adverse effects of digital media on their weight
later in adolescence.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Children's heavy digital media use is associated with a risk of being overweight later in adolescence. Physical activity protects children from
the adverse effects of digital media on their weight later in adolescence.


==========================================================================
A recently completed study shows that six hours of leisure-time physical activity per week at the age of 11 reduces the risk of being overweight
at 14 years of age associated with heavy use of digital media.

Obesity in children and adolescents is one of the most significant health- related challenges globally. A study carried out by the Folkha"lsan
Research Center and the University of Helsinki investigated whether a
link exists between the digital media use of Finnish school-age children
and the risk of being overweight later in adolescence. In addition, the
study looked into whether children's physical activity has an effect on
this potential link.

The results were published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health.

More than six hours of physical activity per week appears to reverse
adverse effects of screen time The study involved 4,661 children from
the Finnish Health in Teens (Fin-HIT) study. The participating children reported how much time they spent on sedentary digital media use and
physical activity outside school hours. The study demonstrated that
heavy use of digital media at 11 years of age was associated with a
heightened risk of being overweight at 14 years of age in children who
reported engaging in under six hours per week of physical activity in
their leisure time. In children who reported being physically active
for six or more hours per week, such a link was not observed.

The study also took into account other factors potentially impacting
obesity, such as childhood eating habits and the amount of sleep,
as well as the amount of digital media use and physical activity in adolescence. In spite of the confounding factors, the protective role of childhood physical activity in the connection between digital media use in childhood and being overweight later in life was successfully confirmed.

Activity according to recommendations "The effect of physical activity
on the association between digital media use and being overweight has
not been extensively investigated in follow-up studies so far," says Postdoctoral Researcher Elina Engberg.

Further research is needed to determine in more detail how much sedentary digital media use increases the risk of being overweight, and how much
physical activity is needed, and at what intensity, to ward off such a
risk. In this study, the amount of physical activity and use of digital
media was reported by the children themselves, and the level of their
activity was not surveyed, so there is a need for further studies.

"A good rule of thumb is to adhere to the physical activity guidelines
for children and adolescents, according to which school-aged children
and adolescents should be physically active in a versatile, brisk and
strenuous manner for at least 60 minutes a day in a way that suits the individual, considering their age," says Engberg. In addition, excessive
and extended sedentary activity should be avoided.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Helsinki. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Elina Engberg, Marja H. Leppa"nen, Catharina Sarkkola, Heli
Viljakainen.

Physical Activity Among Preadolescents Modifies the Long-Term
Association Between Sedentary Time Spent Using Digital Media
and the Increased Risk of Being Overweight. Journal of Physical
Activity and Health, 2021; 1 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2021-0163 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210809144112.htm

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