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BMC Public Health

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Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

Screen-based activities and physical complaints among adolescents from the Nordic countries

Authors: Torbjørn Torsheim, Lilly Eriksson, Christina W Schnohr, Fredrik Hansen, Thoroddur Bjarnason, Raili Välimaa

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Background

A positive association between time spent on sedentary screen-based activities and physical complaints has been reported, but the cumulative association between different types of screen-based activities and physical complaints has not been examined thoroughly.

Methods

The cross-sectional association between screen-based activity and physical complaints (backache and headache) among students was examined in a sample of 31022 adolescents from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Greenland, as part of the Health behaviour in school-aged children 2005/06 (HBSC) study. Daily hours spent on screen-based activities and levels of physical complaints were assessed using self-reports.

Results

Logistic regression analysis indicated that computer use, computer gaming and TV viewing contributed uniquely to prediction of weekly backache and headache. The magnitude of associations was consistent across types of screen based activities, and across gender.

Conclusion

The observed associations indicate that time spent on screen-based activity is a contributing factor to physical complaints among young people, and that effects accumulate across different types of screen-based activities.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/324/prepub

Title: Screen-based activities and physical complaints among adolescents from the Nordic countries
Authors: Torbjørn Torsheim
Lilly Eriksson
Christina W Schnohr
Fredrik Hansen
Thoroddur Bjarnason
Raili Välimaa
Publication date: 01-12-2010
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-10-324

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Screen-based activities and physical complaints among adolescents from the Nordic countries

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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