Association between sedentary behavior, screen time and metabolic syndrome among Chinese children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between sedentary behavior, screen time and MetS among Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-17 years. Data was obtained from the China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance of Children and Lactating Mothers in 2016-2017.

METHODS

Data on sedentary time, screen time, and MetS indicators were obtained through physical and health questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and clinical examinations. MetS was defined according to the Cook's criteria. Wilcoxon rank sum test and chi-square test were applied for comparisons of measurement data and counting data, respectively. The relationship between sedentary time, screen time, and MetS and its components was analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MetS among 7-17-year-old students in 2016-2017 was 5.45%. Compared to those with low sedentary behavior, in high sedentary behavior groups, the prevalence of abdominal obesity, high TG, low HDL-C, and MetS was high in boys, and the prevalence of abdominal obesity, high TG, hyperglycemia, and MetS was high in girls. Moreover, for those who reported ≥ 3 h/day of screen time, the prevalence of abdominal obesity, low HDL-C, and MetS was higher in boys, and the prevalence of abdominal obesity and MetS was higher in girls. After adjusting for confounding variables, the risks of abdominal obesity, high TG, low HDL-C, and MetS were higher in high-level sedentary time group, and the risks of abdominal obesity and MetS were 1.15 and 1.14 times higher for those who spent ≥ 3 h/day on screen time, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that high levels of sedentary time and screen time were associated with an increased likelihood of MetS among Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-17 years. Reducing sedentary behavior and screen time may contribute to the prevention of metabolic diseases.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated risk factors among Korean adolescents: analysis from the Korean national survey

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and to identify the associated risk factors of MS among Korean adolescents. A total of 606 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years from the third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) in 2005 participated in a community-based and cross-sectional survey through face-to-face interviews. The authors defined pediatric MS using the modified National Cholesterol Educational Program-Adult Treatment Panel III. The overall weighted prevalence of MS in Korean adolescents was 13.0% (15.4% boys, 10.0% girls). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, boys, adolescents with body mass index (BMI) greater than the 85th percentile, and adolescents who watched TV for more than 2 hours per day were significantly more likely to have MS. These findings suggest that lifestyle modification focusing on weight control by increasing physical activity is important for the prevention of MS in adolescents.