Screen Time and Its Relation with Fast-Food Consumption Among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the association between screen time use and fast-food consumption in adolescents. A total of 250 adolescents participated in this cross-sectional study, comprising 58.8% males and 41.2% females. Data collection involved validated questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. The mean daily screen time exposure was 300 minutes (SD=212.6), with smartphones being the primary contributor at 208.2 minutes per day. Anthropometric analysis showed an average body mass index (BMI) of 22.6 kg/m², with 61.6% of participants classified as having a healthy weight. Nearly half of the participants (49.6%) reported consuming food while using screens, and 78.8% recalled exposure to at least one food advertisement during screen use. Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between total screen time and the frequency of weekly food delivery orders (p=0.026), sugary drink consumption (p=0.003), snack intake (p<0.001), and the consumption of sweets and chocolate (p<0.001). However, no significant variation was observed among BMI categories (p=0.664) or between genders (p=0.075). These results demonstrate a concerning link between prolonged screen time and unhealthy dietary habits among adolescents, highlighting the urgent need for targeted public health strategies and digital media literacy programs to promote healthier lifestyles.