Purpose: The present investigation was conducted to assess the relationship between television viewing time and cardiorespiratory fitness. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Intermountain West. Participants: 302 middle-aged women. Method: TV viewing was assessed using a questionnaire. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured using a maximal graded treadmill test. Physical activity (PA) was evaluated using Actigraph accelerometers worn over seven consecutive days, while body fat percentage (BF%) was measured using air displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod). Results: (Mean ± SD) age: 40.2 ± 3.0 years. VO2max of the frequent (≥ 3hrs/day) TV group (32.6 ± 6.4) was significantly lower than both the moderate (1-2 hrs/day) (36.2 ± 7.2) and infrequent (<1hr/day) (36.5 ± 6.5) TV groups (F = 8.0, P = 0.0004). The infrequent and moderate groups did not differ significantly from each other. Differences in age, education, BMI, and season of assessment had no influence on the relationship when controlled individually. Adjusting for differences in physical activity (F = 4.2, P = 0.0157) weakened the relationship by 59.4%, and adjusting for differences in BF% (F = 5.0, P = 0.0071) weakened the association by 58.5%, but in both cases, the relationships remained significant. After controlling for both PA and BF% simultaneously (F = 2.9, P = 0.0572), the relationship was weakened by 80.7% and was only borderline significant. Conclusion: Frequent female TV viewers have significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels than moderate or infrequent viewers. This association appears to be largely a function of differences in both PA and BF%.

PURPOSE: Television (TV) viewing remains a popular form of screen time for adults. However, it is important to understand the obesity risks associated with other screens, not only TV, in a changing media landscape. This study aimed to examine the association between energy intake, BMI, and screen time using the data obtained from the AIM-2 wearable camera. METHODS: The AIM-2 device was used by (n=18) participants for seven consecutive days. Three days of images from the device were analyzed for energy intake, and 1 of these days was coded for screen use (i.e., TV, phone, and computer), the number of screens, and screen duration while eating. A preliminary analysis of screen use in relation to BMI and energy intake was conducted. Potential confounders (age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, and education level) were considered. RESULTS: Phones were the most used screen type, and TV alone was not watched by any participants. While eating, screens were used 73% of the time. Participants with the highest screen time usage consumed more total energy than those with the lowest screen time usage (p<0,.05). This difference was attenuated when controlling for duration of eating, perhaps suggesting that higher screen time usage may lead to an extended eating duration and, thus, higher intakes of energy. There were no statistically significant associations between any screen time variable (type, duration, or number of screens used) and BMI. Screen time usage was examined during four time periods: before 11:00 am; 11:00 am-2:59 pm; 3:00 pm-7:59 pm; 8:00 pm, and later. There was a statistically significant positive association between higher screen time after 8:00 pm and total daily energy intake (P=0.005). CONCLUSION: Eating while using a screen can be objectively assessed using the AIM-2 device. Our data agree with recent studies showing that phones and computers are used more than TV. While there were no significant associations between any of these screen variables and BMI, data from a single day in this study suggests that those with the highest screen time usage tended to have higher energy intakes. In addition, there was also a statistically significant association between screen time usage while eating later in the evening (after 8:00 pm) and total daily energy intake. These preliminary results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and the availability of only one day of screen use and energy intake. Future studies should examine more than one day and use wearable cameras for objective evaluations of screen use.

Research suggests that elevated levels of screen time in the evening can negatively impact sleep outcomes (sleep duration, quality, and latency). Yet, there is a lack of evidence exploring if this relationship exists in college students. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between evening screen time use and objectively measured sleep outcomes in US college students. College students (N = 29) junior or senior standing in a Health Sciences major were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Participants wore accelerometers on their wrist for 24hr/day for seven days to capture sleep duration, efficiency, awakenings, and timing. Participants completed a survey regarding their screen time habits and evening usage. Twenty-nine college students (86% female, averaged 21.5 years old, 38% White, 35% Overweight/Obese) provided valid accelerometer data. There were 180 total valid night sleep observations. Average nighttime sleep duration was 433.8 minutes with an average of 22.3 awakenings. The mean sleep efficiency was 87.3%. The average bedtime was 2:26 am, and the average wake time was 8:01 am. The average daily screen time of participants was 419.1 minutes, and after 10:00 pm was 112.2 minutes. Cell phone use before bed was negatively correlated with self-reported sleep duration (r = -0.42; p-value = 0.02), and positively correlated with stimulating screen time content (r = 0.43; p-value = 0.02). Those who napped had a lower daily screen time duration compared to those who did not nap (Mean difference = 91.7 minutes; p-value = 0.05) and had a higher sleep efficiency of 95.8%. Preliminary evidence suggests that a relationship between both evening screen time duration in addition to content, and objectively measured sleep outcomes may exist for US college students. This study provides reliable, objective data of college student sleep that may inform future public health interventions in this population.

Background: In recent years, students' screen time has increased, especially during the corona pandemic. As increased prevalence of neck pain and decreased physical activity (PA) have been reported during this period, it is of interest to study the relationship between these variables. Aim: To examine screen time, neck pain and the level of PA and the relationship between these variables in students studying full-time at Uppsala University. Method: A quantitative, descriptive and correlational cross-sectional study. PA was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, neck pain in days, and intensity with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS), and screen time in hours, for the past week. The data was collected using a web survey.   Results: Ninety-eight students answered the survey. Fifty-four percent of participants reported neck pain the past week. On average, students spent 18.5 hours on screen studies, and 41.3 hours on total screen time. The PA level averaged 2438 Metabolic Equivalent of Task in minutes. Median neck pain was one day with NRS 1. A low significant correlation was seen between: screen studies and number of days neck pain (r = 0.23; p = 0.028); total screen time and neck pain (r =0.26; p = 0.012); studies at screen and neck pain intensity (r = 0.23; p = 0.024); total screen time and neck pain intensity (r =0.26; p = 0.011). A low, non-significant correlation was seen between screen studies and total screen time and PA (r = 0.04/0.02; p = 0.713/0.881). Conclusion: Students spend a lot of time in front of screens and a majority of students reported low-intensity neck pain the past week. However, there was only a low correlation between screen time and neck pain, and between screen time and FA. / Bakgrund: Under de senaste åren har studenters skärmtid ökat, inte minst under corona-pandemin. Då ökad prevalensen av nacksmärta och minskad fysisk aktivitet (FA) har rapporterats under denna period, är det av intresse att studera sambandet mellan dessa variabler.  Syfte: Undersöka skärmtid, nacksmärta och nivån av FA och samband mellan dessa variabler hos studenter som studerar heltid på Uppsala universitet.  Metod: En kvantitativ, deskriptiv och korrelerande tvärsnittsstudie. FA mättes med International Physical Activity Questionnaire, nacksmärta i dagar, och intensitet med Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS), och skärmtid i timmar, för senaste veckan. Datan insamlades med en webenkät. Resultat: Nittioåtta studenter besvarade enkäten. Femtiofyra procent av deltagarna rapporterade nacksmärta senaste veckan. I genomsnitt spenderade studenterna 18,5 timmar på studier vid skärm, och 41,3 timmar på total skärmtid. Nivån FA var i genomsnitt 2438 Metabolic Equivalent of Task i minuter. Medianen för nacksmärta var en dag med NRS 1. Ett lågt signifikant samband sågs mellan: studier vid skärm och nacksmärta i antal dagar (r = 0,23; p = 0,028); total skärmtid och nacksmärta (r =0,26; p = 0,012); studier vid skärm och nacksmärtans intensitet (r = 0,23; p = 0,024); total skärmtid och nacksmärtans intensitet (r =0,26; p = 0,011). Ett lågt icke signifikant samband sågs mellan studier vid skärm respektive total skärmtid och FA (r = 0,04/0,02; p = 0,713/0,881).  Konklusion: Studenter spenderar mycket tid framför skärm och en majoritet av studenter rapporterade lågintensiv nacksmärta under senaste veckan. Dock förelåg enbart ett lågt samband mellan skärmtid och nacksmärta, samt mellan skärmtid och FA.

Despite the amount of people currently using technology and the overwhelming amount of data already presented on the topic of how technology affects a person's mental health, there seems to be little information on how the different types of activities on the different types of screens affect university student's mental states. This research study examined the amount of time that a University of Central Florida (UCF) student spends on what was defined as educational activities in front of screens and what was defined as recreational. The definitions of what is educational and what is recreational screen time came from a previously published study (Salzano et al., 2021). These dimensions of screen time have never been investigated like this before. This data was then compared to the student's current level of depression (among other factors) to see if more time per day, in a particular screen time group, affects a university student's mental state. This information is extremely important to investigate as understanding if certain activities affect a university student's mental health could lead us to lower the increasing level of depression in this country if those screen activities are limited (Duffy et al., 2019). In the end 449 currently enrolled UCF student responses were recorded and it was determined that the data did not support the hypothesis. According to this study the amount of screen time, whether it be educational or recreational, did not influence any aspect of a university student's mental health whether it be depression, stress, or mindfulness as there was no difference between any of the scores at the different screen time values. If this study was to be conducted again, perhaps more participants could be included, or a different scale of screen time could be used to obtain different results.

Vi upplever att vi jämt är omgivna av digitala apparater och av digitalisering. Kandidatarbetets tema är ett vågat ämne där vi undersöker hur mobiltelefonen påverkar vårt psykiska välmående och vilka möjliga lösningar det finns på hur problemen kan hanteras. Vi skriver om vad det finns för mobilapplikationer som kan terapeutiskt hjälpa användaren att utveckla och förbättra sitt välmående. Från våra kunskapsområden vill vi med vår mobilapplikation bygga upp välmående. Den ska terapeutiskt hjälpa den som är i behov och som behöver hjälp att må bättre. Vi fördjupar oss i detta ämnesområde där vi ser det från vårt perspektiv med våra ögon och hanterar det efter våra erfarenheter.   Vi tillämpar designperspektivet X for Change som tar upp samhällsfrågor, i detta fall så är det om folkhälsa. X for Change ska inte på något sätt vara upprörande eller provocerande i de frågor som besvaras, utan vara till hjälp under hela kandidatarbetet. Designprocessen delades in i två faser där ändringar av gestaltningen ägde rum. Under denna undersökning går vi in på nya gestaltningsmetoder där vi skapar färdiga prototyper från idé till hi-fi prototyper för vår mobilapplikation. Detta är ett vågat försök där vi testar oss fram och med tiden utvecklat en ny förmåga i vårt skapande som designers. / We believe that we are constantly surrounded by digital devices and by digitalization. The theme of this bachelor’s thesis is a daring subject where we investigate how the mobile phone affects a person's mental wellbeing and what possible solutions there are on how to deal with those problems. We are writing about what kind of mobile applications there are that can help users develop and improve their wellbeing. From our area of expertise, we want with our mobile application help users to improve their mental health and promote wellbeing. It is meant to work as a therapeutic tool to those who are in need of help to feel better. We immerse ourselves in this topic where we see it from our own perspective with our own eyes and manage it based on our own experiences.   We use the design perspective X for Change that brings up certain societal issues, in this case it's about the public health. X for Change is not meant to be upsetting or provoking on the topic of these questions but be of help throughout the whole thesis. The design process is split into two phases, where changes to our application took place. During the whole investigation we enter new methods to create our application where we create finished prototypes from ideas to hi-fi prototypes for our mobile application. It is a bold attempt where we test ourselves and with time we have created a new ability in our creativity as designers.

Recent research suggests that sedentary behaviours have detrimental effects on the health and well-being of children, including effects on obesity. Specifically, television viewing is consistently associated with childhood obesity. Two explanations have been proposed: 1) reduced energy expenditure, and 2) increased food intake. However, it has been suggested that the association between television viewing and childhood obesity may be better explained by an increase in energy intake than by a reduction in energy expenditure. To date, children of different weight status have not been compared in their dietary patterns in front of the television, and it is not known if total sedentary time is linked with food intake in children. The objectives of this thesis are: 1) to determine if obese children consume food more frequently while watching television than normal weight children, and 2) to examine which of television viewing or total sedentary time better predicts dietary patterns in children. Overall, our results re-affirm the notion that television viewing is associated with obesity, although physical activity plays a role in this association. Also, children who are obese consume fast food and fruits/vegetables more frequently during television watching than normal weight children. Furthermore, television viewing appears to be a better predictor of dietary patterns in children than overall sedentary time. Globally, these results provide evidence for the deleterious effects of television viewing on children’s dietary patterns and justification for future intervention studies designed to reduce television viewing in children with obesity.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact screen time has on the cognitive development of children between the ages of four to five, at one early childcare education center. The significance of the study will help determine how the amount of screen time affects children’s cognitive development. The results of this study will help educational leaders determine how to effectively use technology for learning. Research suggests that the most important factor in a child’s development is a positive parent-child relationship, in which loving caregivers respond to a child’s cues and provide age-appropriate activities that nurture curiosity, exploration and learning (Lerner & Barr, 2014). This provides the foundation for teacher and child interactions in preschool programs. The role of early childhood educators lays the foundation for education. Currently, over 80% of children between the ages of three and five years are reported to be using some type of electronic device on a daily basis (Joan Ganz Cooney Center and Sesame Workshop, 2011). Time spent with these electronic devices is defined as screen time, the total amount of time spent in front of any and all screens (Common Sense Media, 2013). The National Association for the Education of Young Children (2012) defines technology and media tools as, “computers, tablets, multi-touch screens, interactive white boards, mobile devices, cameras, DVDs, music players, audio recorders, electronic toys, games, e-book readers, and older analog devices.” The impact of positive and consistent interactions to young children can help mold development. These meaningful interactions cannot be substituted with technology tools. The educators of School A are restricted to only allowing their students to engage in interactive screen time for a total of thirty minutes per week. This research was geared towards finding out if screen time effects a child’s cognitive development between the ages of four and five.

abstract: "Globesity," as defined by the World Health Organization, describes obesity as a pandemic affecting at least 400 million people worldwide. The prevalence of obesity is higher among women than men; and in non-Hispanic black and Hispanic populations. Obesity has been significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality, and mortality from cardiovascular disease, obesity-related cancers, diabetes and kidney disease. Current strategies to curb obesity rates often use an ecological approach, suggesting three main factors: biological, behavioral, and environmental. This approach was used to develop four studies of obesity. The first study assessed dietary quality, using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2005, among premenopausal Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women, and found that Hispanic women had lower total HEI-2005 scores, and lower scores for total vegetables, dark green and orange vegetables and legumes, and sodium. Markers of obesity were negatively correlated with total HEI-2005 scores. The second study examined the relationship between reported screen time and markers of obesity among premenopausal women and found that total screen time, TV, and computer use were positively associated with markers of obesity. Waist/height ratio, fat mass index, and leptin concentrations were significantly lower among those who reported the lowest screen time versus the moderate and high screen time categories. The third study examined the relationship between screen time and dietary intake and found no significant differences in absolute dietary intake by screen time category. The fourth study was designed to test a brief face-to-face healthy shopping intervention to determine whether food purchases of participants who received the intervention differed from those in the control group; and whether purchases differed by socioeconomic position. Participants in the intervention group purchased more servings of fruit when compared to the control group. High-income participants purchased more servings of dark green/deep yellow vegetables compared to those in the low-income group. Among those who received the intervention, low-income participants purchased foods of lower energy density, and middle-income participants purchased food of higher fat density. The findings of these studies support policy changes to address increasing access and availability of fruits and vegetables, and support guidelines to limit screen time among adults. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Nursing and Healthcare Innovation 2010

Recent research suggests that sedentary behaviours have detrimental effects on the health and well-being of children, including effects on obesity. Specifically, television viewing is consistently associated with childhood obesity. Two explanations have been proposed: 1) reduced energy expenditure, and 2) increased food intake. However, it has been suggested that the association between television viewing and childhood obesity may be better explained by an increase in energy intake than by a reduction in energy expenditure. To date, children of different weight status have not been compared in their dietary patterns in front of the television, and it is not known if total sedentary time is linked with food intake in children. The objectives of this thesis are: 1) to determine if obese children consume food more frequently while watching television than normal weight children, and 2) to examine which of television viewing or total sedentary time better predicts dietary patterns in children. Overall, our results re-affirm the notion that television viewing is associated with obesity, although physical activity plays a role in this association. Also, children who are obese consume fast food and fruits/vegetables more frequently during television watching than normal weight children. Furthermore, television viewing appears to be a better predictor of dietary patterns in children than overall sedentary time. Globally, these results provide evidence for the deleterious effects of television viewing on children’s dietary patterns and justification for future intervention studies designed to reduce television viewing in children with obesity.