EFFECT OF INCREASED SCREEN TIME IN CHILDREN WITH AGE BETWEEN 2-6 YEARS IN TERMS OF INCREASED RISK OF BEING OVERWEIGHT

Abstract

Background: Excessive screen exposure has become increasingly common among young children and may contribute to sedentary behavior and unhealthy weight gain.

Objective: To determine the association between increased screen time and overweight status among children aged 2–6 years.

Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study is conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore from July 2025 to October 2025. A total of 60 children aged 2–6 years are included through non-probability consecutive sampling and divided into two groups: 30 overweight children and 30 normal-weight children. Weight and height are measured to calculate body mass index, while daily screen time and duration of outdoor games are obtained from parents or guardians.

Results: The mean daily screen time is higher among overweight children compared with normal-weight children, 5.12 ± 1.43 versus 3.18 ± 1.21 hours/day, respectively. Screen time exceeding 4 hours/day is observed in 19 (63.3%) overweight children compared with 8 (26.7%) normal-weight children, showing a statistically significant difference (p=0.009). Mean outdoor activity is lower among overweight children, 1.18 ± 0.62 hours/day, compared with 2.05 ± 0.81 hours/day among normal-weight children (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Increased screen time is significantly associated with overweight status among children aged 2–6 years. Overweight children have longer daily screen exposure and lower outdoor activity compared with normal-weight children.