Deakin University
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

The correlates of preschoolers' compliance with screen recommendations exist across multiple domains

journal contribution
posted on 2013-09-01, 00:00 authored by Trina Hinkley, Jo SalmonJo Salmon, A Okely, David CrawfordDavid Crawford
Objective:
To investigate the individual, social and physical environment correlates of preschool children's compliance with Australian/Canadian and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) screen recommendations.

Method:
An Ecological Model (EM) was used to identify constructs potentially associated with children's screen time. In 2008–2009, parents in Melbourne, Australia, reported their child's screen time and on a range of potential correlates. Children (n = 935; 54% boys, mean age 4.54 ± 0.70 years) were assessed as meeting or not meeting each of the screen recommendations. Logistic regression assessed bivariable and multivariable associations.

Results:
In total, 15 explanatory variables, across the three domains of the EM were associated with boys' and/or girls' compliance with either Australian/Canadian or AAP recommendations. Correlates varied by sex and recommendation. Maternal television viewing time was the only consistent correlate for both boys' and girls' compliance with both recommendations. No demographic groups were identified as being less likely to comply with screen recommendations.

Conclusion:
Public health programs should take account of the sex-specific nature of correlates of preschool children's screen time. Preschool children across all demographic groups need support to engage in less screen use. Parents may benefit from education and parenting skills to minimize potentially harmful effects of excessive screen time for their child.

History

Journal

Preventive medicine

Volume

57

Issue

3

Pagination

212 - 219

Publisher

Academic Press

Location

San Diego, California

ISSN

0091-7435

eISSN

1096-0260

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2013, Elsevier