European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

AIMS and OBJECTIVE: In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this study made an effort to fill a knowledge gap about the influence of screen time (ST) on adolescents' lifestyle choices in India. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Karaikal, the study's goals were to 1) assess the frequency and duration of screen use, as well as screen addiction behaviours in 5-18year old children and 2) To know the effect of screen time on physical health.
MATERIALS and METHODS: The sample in this crosssectional study were 1000 children. A pre-structured  questionnaire is given to children to know their screen time during covid pandemic with parents/guardian consent and guidance. Parents were asked to fill the pre-structured questionnaire .
RESULTS: A total of 1000 children were enrolled in the study. High screen time i.e., >4hrs/day seen more in 16 – 18 years followed by 11-15 years then by 5-10years.Screen time had negative impact on physical health (P < 0.0001). High screen time in 16-18 years(51.13%) are more prone to overweight/obesity followed  by 11-15 years(45.53%) and then 5-10 years(35.63%) according to the study.
CONCLUSION: This study has paved the way for need of larger study and development of guidelines on impact of screen time on children in developing nations where screen time guidelines is yet to be set more so in era of COVID 19 pandemic