Screen Time in American Indian Children and Parental Influence
Author Information
Author(s): Barr-Anderson Daheia J., Fulkerson Jayne A., Smyth Mary, Himes John H., Hannan Peter J., Holy Rock Bonnie, Story Mary
Primary Institution: University of Minnesota, School of Kinesiology
Hypothesis
Are parental television watching time, perceptions of children's screen time, and media-related resources in the home associated with screen time among Oglala Lakota youth?
Conclusion
Changes in parental television watching time and parental influence over children's screen-time behavior could help reduce screen time and may be effective in addressing overweight and obesity in American Indian children.
Supporting Evidence
- Children whose parents limited their television time engaged in less screen time.
- Boys engaged in more screen time than girls.
- Parental television watching time was positively associated with children's screen time.
- Availability of a VCR/DVD player or video game player in the home was associated with increased screen time.
- Parents reported their children engaged in an average of 3.0 hours of screen time per day.
Takeaway
If parents watch less TV and help their kids limit screen time, it can help kids be healthier and not gain too much weight.
Methodology
The study used linear regression analysis on baseline data from a controlled obesity prevention trial involving child and parent/caregiver pairs.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on parent-reported data.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and data were collected only via parent report, which may introduce social desirability bias.
Participant Demographics
Children's mean age was 5.8 years, with 51% male and 49% female; approximately 90% of parents were female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
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