CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Obesity Prevention and Control: Behavioral Interventions to Reduce Screen Time
CDC
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Behavioral interventions to reduce screen time (time spent watching TV, videotapes, or DVDs; playing video or computer games; and surfing the internet) can be single-component or multicomponent and often focus on changing screen time through classes aimed at improving children's or parents' knowledge, attitudes, or skills. These interventions may include:
• Skills building, tips, goal setting, and reinforcement techniques
• Parent or family support through provision of information on environmental strategies to reduce access to television, video games, and computers
• A "TV turnoff challenge" in which participants are encouraged not to watch TV for a specified number of days
The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends behavioral interventions aimed at reducing screen time based on sufficient evidence of effectiveness for reducing measured screen time and improving weight-related outcomes. Screen time was reduced by 36.6 min/day (range: -26.4 min/day to -55.5 min/day) and a modest improvement in weight-related outcomes was observed when compared to controls. Most of the interventions evaluated were directed at children and adolescents.
• Skills building, tips, goal setting, and reinforcement techniques
• Parent or family support through provision of information on environmental strategies to reduce access to television, video games, and computers
• A "TV turnoff challenge" in which participants are encouraged not to watch TV for a specified number of days
The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends behavioral interventions aimed at reducing screen time based on sufficient evidence of effectiveness for reducing measured screen time and improving weight-related outcomes. Screen time was reduced by 36.6 min/day (range: -26.4 min/day to -55.5 min/day) and a modest improvement in weight-related outcomes was observed when compared to controls. Most of the interventions evaluated were directed at children and adolescents.
Results / Accomplishments
Results from the Systematic Reviews:
Seven studies qualified for the review.
• Screen time (hours per day): decrease of 0.61 hrs/day (interquartile interval: -0.44 to -0.925 hrs/day; 4 studies)
• Sedentary behavior and related outcomes: in favor of the intervention (3 studies)
• Weight-related outcomes: modest improvement (5 studies)
• Physical activity: inconsistent and non-significant effects (3 studies)
• Nutrition: findings in favor of the intervention (4 studies)
• Applicable to children ages 3 to 17 (6 of 7 studies)
Seven studies qualified for the review.
• Screen time (hours per day): decrease of 0.61 hrs/day (interquartile interval: -0.44 to -0.925 hrs/day; 4 studies)
• Sedentary behavior and related outcomes: in favor of the intervention (3 studies)
• Weight-related outcomes: modest improvement (5 studies)
• Physical activity: inconsistent and non-significant effects (3 studies)
• Nutrition: findings in favor of the intervention (4 studies)
• Applicable to children ages 3 to 17 (6 of 7 studies)
About this Promising Practice
Primary Contact
Topics
Health / Physical Activity
Source
Community Guide Branch Epidemiology and Analysis Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Location
USA
For more details
Target Audience
Children, Teens