Media exposure and children's health: Is excessive screen time associated with health risks?

There are concerns that excessive television use is associated with negative health effects, including obesity, aggressive behavior, and poor academic achievement. The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued recommendations that children's exposure to television and other screen entertainment media be limited to 1-2 hours per day (AAP, 2001). This study examines whether children who use media in excess of these recommended limits experience more health risk than those who stay within the limits. Data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health were analyzed, including 68,940 children ages 6-17 years. Parents reported on media exposure (TV/video games and computer use) and on indicators of children's health and development status. Overall, 41% of children used >2 hours of screen media (TV + computer), 17% used >2 hours of TV alone, and 7% computer alone. Children with excess media use had increased risk of obesity (Odds Ratio (OR) =1.11, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.07, 1.15) and poor academic achievement (OR=1.14, CI 1.05, 1.24), lack of exercise (OR=1.06, CI 1.05, 1.09) or have poor sleep patterns (OR=1.02, CI 1.00, 1.04). The effects were stronger when TV and computer use were analyzed separately. No differences in overall health and mental health were found. These data show that excessive media use is linked to risk indicators. Further studies may need to differentiate among types of media when examining the link between media use and risk. From a public health perspective, children with health risks and excessive media exposure may warrant further attention.