Sedentary patterns and media availability in European adolescents: The HELENA study

Abstract

Objective: To describe sedentary behaviors in adolescents and to examine the influence of media availability on TV viewing.

Method: The study assessed 3278 adolescents (1537 males and 1741 females, 12.5-17.5 years) involved in the HELENA study (2007). Adolescents reported hours of TV viewing, computer games, console, internet for study and non-study reasons, and study, as well as availability of TVs, computers and consoles.

Results: Time spent in sedentary behaviors was higher during weekends (all p<0.001). Males spent more hours on TV viewing (for > or = 15 years at weekends), playing computer games and console games while females spent more time studying and surfing for non-study reasons. During weekdays, one third of adolescents exceeded the screen time guidelines (>2h/day) based solely on TV viewing, whereas around 60% exceeded it at weekends. Having a TV or a console in the bedroom was associated with higher TV viewing (OR=2.66; 95% CI 2.23-3.18; and OR=1.92; 95% CI 1.61-2.28, respectively) whereas the presence of computer reduced it (OR=0.57; 95% CI 0.48-0.68).

Conclusion: Adolescents living in Europe are not meeting media recommendations, especially during weekend. The absence of a TV in the adolescents' bedroom might reduce TV viewing. Further studies are needed to confirm or contrast our findings.