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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Feb 17;19(4):2261.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19042261.

Physical Activity Levels and Screen Time among Youth with Overweight/Obesity Using Mental Health Services

Gerald J Jerome  1 , Tyler Fink  2 , Tammy Brady  3 , Deborah R Young  4 , Faith B Dickerson  5 , Stacy Goldsholl  2 , Robert L Findling  6 , Ekaterina A Stepanova  6 , Ann Scheimann  3 , Arlene T Dalcin  2 , Alison Terry  2 , Joseph Gennusa  2 , Courtney Cook  2 , Gail L Daumit  2 , Nae-Yuh Wang  2   7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Physical Activity Levels and Screen Time among Youth with Overweight/Obesity Using Mental Health Services

Gerald J Jerome et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Youth with mental illness have higher levels of obesity than children in the general population. Both regular physical activity and limited screen time have been recommended to reduce and prevent childhood obesity. This study examines accelerometer-based moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen time among youth with overweight/obesity issues who are receiving mental health care. This study looked at a 12-month weight management randomized clinical trial for overweight/obese youth aged 8-18 years who are receiving mental health services. At baseline, MVPA was assessed using accelerometers, and screen time was self-reported. Among 100 youth, 43% were female, 44% were Black, and 48% were <13 years old. In an adjusted general linear model, higher levels of MVPA were associated with the younger age group (p = 0.012), male participants (p = 0.013), and lower BMI z-scores (p = 0.014). In a separate model, higher screen time was associated with participants who were Black (p = 0.007). Achieving optimal cardiovascular health at the population level requires an understanding of the groups that are most in need of additional assistance. These data reinforce that targeted lifestyle approaches to promote increased physical activity and decreased screen time among overweight/obese youth using mental health services may need additional tailoring for sex, age, and race subgroups.

Keywords: adolescent; children; mental health; obesity; physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors report additional NIH funding and/or grants pending. RLF reports a relationship with Acadia, Adamas, Aevi, Afecta, Akili, Alkermes, Allergan, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, American Psychiatric Press, Arbor, Axsome, Daiichi-Sankyo, Emelex, Gedeon Richter, and Genentech that includes consulting or advisory, funding grants, and speaking and lecture fees. Robert L. Findling reports a relationship with Idorsia, Intra-Cellular Therapies, Kempharm, Luminopia, Lundbeck, MedAvante-ProPhase, Merck, MJH Life Sciences, Neurim, Otsuka, PaxMedica, Pfizer, Physicians Postgraduate Press, Q BioMed, Receptor Life Sciences, Roche, and Sage that includes consulting or advisory, funding grants, and speaking and lecture fees. RLF reports a relationship with Signant Health, Sunovion, Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Syneos, Syneurx, Takeda, Teva, Tris, and Validus that includes funding grants and speaking and lecture fees. AS receives or has received research support received honoraria or acted as a consultant for Harmony Biosciences, Saniona Pharmaceuticals, Radius Pharmaceuticals, Millendo Pharmaceuticals, and the American board of pediatrics. TB is supported by Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies. Resolve to Save Lives is funded by grants from Bloomberg Philanthropies; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and Gates Philanthropy Partners, which is funded with support from the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation. TB has received honoraria from Springer Nature to co-edit a textbook, Pediatric Hypertension, and is a Medical Advisory Board member for the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland and Delaware. The authors declare no additional conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Physical activity and screen time by age group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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