Association between increased screen time, sedentary behavior, and insomnia among Indian adults: A cross-sectional nationwide online survey

Abstract

Context: During the "coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)" pandemic, screen time saw a notable increase, ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 hours per day. Scientific evidence has demonstrated a strong correlation between heightened digital media usage and heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Research indicates that engaging in screen time for four hours or more daily can elevate the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of depression among children and adolescents by 46-80%. Despite this, there remains a paucity of medical evidence elucidating the intricate interplay between screen time, physical inactivity, and insomnia in adults.

Aim: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of increased screen time, insomnia, and physical inactivity among adults and their association during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Settings and design: A cross-sectional study through an online Google Form questionnaire was conducted among the Indian population.

Methods and materials: The study was conducted between June and August 2020 and comprised 658 participants aged 18 and above. Participants were recruited using a chain sampling procedure, with the majority being female, accounting for 54% (355 individuals).

Statistical analysis: The mean and standard deviation were calculated for numerical variables, while percentages and proportions were determined for categorical variables. The Chi-square test was employed to examine associations between variables. For assessing the predictors of screen time, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted.

Results: The majority of participants reported screen time exceeding 2 hours per day (85%), clinical insomnia symptoms (59%), moderate to high physical activity levels (92.8%), and low levels of sedentary behavior (60.5%). Variables such as gender, age, and screen time demonstrated significant associations with insomnia and physical activity. The odds ratio for insomnia in relation to screen time was 2.84 (95% confidence interval: 1.78-4.58) with a P value of 0.001. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that increasing age was significantly associated with lower levels of screen time.

Conclusions: Screen time showed a significant association with insomnia. Less screen time was reported with increased age.

Keywords: Insomnia; obesity; physical activity; screen time; sedentary behavior.

Figure 1

Prevalence of clinical insomnia among study participants