Korean J Community Nutr.
2023 Jun;28(3):206-219. 10.5720/kjcn.2023.28.3.206.
Screen time, mealtime media use, and dietary behaviors in Korean preschoolers : a cross-sectional study
- Affiliations
-
- 1Invited professor, Department of Food and Nutrition, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
- 2Team member, National Institute of Food & Nutrition Service, Cheongju, Korea
- 3Team leader, National Institute of Food & Nutrition Service, Cheongju, Korea
- 4Former center director, National Institute of Food & Nutrition Service, Cheongju, Korea
- 5Professor, Department of Food and Nutrition, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
- KMID: 2544651
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2023.28.3.206
Abstract
Objectives
Screen time refers to the time spent using screen media, such as televisions, smartphones, computers, or tablets. Excessive exposure to screen media has been reported to negatively impact young children’s health and development, including overweight, short sleep duration, and language delays. This study examined the association of screen time and mealtime media use with dietary behaviors among preschool children.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted on parents of children aged three to five years using the online questionnaires of the Nutrition Quotient for Preschoolers (NQ-P) and the Dietary Screening Test (DST). Data from 261 children’s parents were analyzed.
Results
Of the 261 children, 96.9% used screen media, 55.6% used screen media for two hours or more daily, and 30.7% were exposed to screen media during meals. The NQ-P scores were significantly lower in the children with longer screen time and mealtime media use. Children who used screen media for two hours or more and those exposed to screen media during meals consumed kimchi less frequently and confectionery and sugar-sweetened beverages more frequently than children who used less than two hours and were not exposed to screen media during meals. In addition, they were more likely to be picky about food, refuse to eat, and less likely to feed themselves than children with shorter screen time and no mealtime media use.
Conclusions
This study reported an association between unhealthy dietary behaviors, feeding difficulties, and screen time and mealtime media use among preschool children. Further research should explore effective strategies for reducing children’s screen time.
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