Association of Parents Sociodemographic Factors and Seden-tary Behaviors with TV Screen Time Among Pre-School Children
Abstract
Screen time in young children is associated with emotional, behavioral, and sleep problems that impact children's growth and development. Data regarding television (TV) screen time among preschool-age children in Saudi Arabia are scarce. We aimed to assess the relationship between parents' sociodemographics, sedentary behaviors, and TV screen time among preschool-age children in Saudi Arabia. An online-based cross-sectional study using a previously validated survey was conducted through August and September 2021. Chi-square and binary linear logistic regression tests were used to examine the relationship between parents' sociodemographics and sedentary lifestyles with TV screen time among preschool-age children. Of 1269 parents who completed the survey, 1103 met the inclusion criteria. 761 (69%) were mothers, 1040 (94.3%) were married, 903 (81.9%) had at least a bachelor's degree, and 663 (57.7%) of the study participants' preschool-age children were not enrolled in any educational institution. 861 (78.1%) of preschool-age children watched TV for ≥ 1 hour daily. Children of university graduates and children who enrolled in full-time preschool programs were more likely to watch TV for ≥ 1 hour daily (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.01–2.11, p=0.049; OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.45–3.41, p=0.001). Eating snacks while watching TV and leaving the TV on regardless of being watched or not are positively associated with TV screen time (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.07–2.97, p=0.026; OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.29–1.54, p=0.001). This study showed significant TV screen time among preschool-age children in Saudi Arabia.
