Screen time and physical activity: Are kids ready for change?

INTRODUCTION: Children with sedentary lifestyles are at increased risk for obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no more than 2 hours of television per day and removing televisions from children's bedrooms. Our study aimed to 1) Describe television viewing within the context of these recommendations and 2) Assess child satisfaction with screen time and physical activity level. METHODS: Participants were a convenience sample recruited from the ambulatory care clinic waiting room at an urban pediatric hospital. English-speaking children ages 8 to 12 completed a verbal questionnaire after parental consent and child assent. Children reported on media use (TV, computer, videogame), physical activity, and their desire to do more or less of each activity. RESULTS: Participants included 128 children (58 boys, 70 girls). Almost half (43%) of children watched more than 2 hours of TV on a typical school day; 59% of non-Hispanic children and 83% of Hispanic children (Χ²=9.0, p=.003) reported having a television in the bedroom. This association was even stronger for Hispanic boys (89%) compared to non-Hispanic boys (50%). Most children (72%) desire physical activity and 43% would like to watch less television. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that many children being treated in an urban pediatric clinic do not follow AAP guidelines regarding television use. Hispanic children are 1.4 times more likely to have a bedroom television compared to non-Hispanics (risk increases to 1.8 for Hispanic boys). Fortunately, many children also expressed a desire for lifestyle changes that indicates a climate for an intervention.