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BMC Pediatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Research

Correlates of preschoolers’ screen time in China: parental factors

Authors: Xinyao Wang, Yan Wu, Chunhua Yao, Xiangting Wu, Yuqian Ruan, Sunyue Ye

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

With the advent of the electronic age, the prolonged screen time (ST) of preschoolers in China is relatively high and is on the rise, which is likely to affect preschoolers’ physical and mental health. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing ST in preschoolers, especially the role of parental factors, and to provide a basis for the prevention, control, and intervention of ST in preschoolers in China.

Methods

A questionnaire was completed by the parents of 1,546 preschoolers from four kindergartens in Pinghu City, Zhejiang Province, China, and a multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the correlates of excessive ST in preschoolers.

Results

A total of 43.8% of preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years, of which 50.3% were boys and 49.7% were girls, had > 1 h/day of ST. Older preschoolers, greater screen accessibility, greater frequency of eating in front of a screen, longer ST of parents, and unclear rules of screen-based behavior were the risk factors for ST being > 1 h/day (P < 0.05). After additional adjusting of maternal correlates, the relationship between the ST of fathers and ST of preschoolers was still significant (P < 0.01), and the dose–effect relationship was also observed (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Prolonged parental ST (especially of fathers) and lack of rules for screen behavior were independent risk factors for prolonged preschoolers’ ST in this study.

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Title: Correlates of preschoolers’ screen time in China: parental factors
Authors: Xinyao Wang
Yan Wu
Chunhua Yao
Xiangting Wu
Yuqian Ruan
Sunyue Ye
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-022-03443-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Correlates of preschoolers’ screen time in China: parental factors

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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