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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/47444 |
| Date | 03 November 2023 |
| Creators | Anyanti, Chioma |
| Contributors | McCrory, Megan A. |
| Source Sets | Boston University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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