Screen time is independently associated with health-related quality of life in overweight and obese adolescents

Aim: Excessive screen time and diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are greater problems for obese than nonobese adolescents, but no research has examined the relationship between these two variables. This study examined the association between screen time and HRQoL in overweight and obese adolescents. Methods: A sample of 358 overweight and obese adolescents aged 14-18 years were assessed at baseline between 2005 and 2010 as part of the Canadian Healthy Eating, Aerobic and Resistance Training in Youth (HEARTY) trial. We used the Pediatric Quality of Life (PEDS-QL) and other self-report measures to assess HRQoL and screen time, defined as how long the 261 females and 97 males spent viewing TV, using the computer and playing video games. Results: After adjusting for socio-demographic variables, adiposity, physical activity and diet, screen time duration was associated with reduced overall HRQoL (adjusted r = -0.16, beta = -0.16, p = 0.009) and psychosocial HRQoL (adjusted r = -0.16, beta = -0.18, p = 0.004), but not physical HRQoL. No differences were found between males and females. Conclusion: Screen time was associated with reduced overall and psychosocial HRQoL in overweight and obese adolescents. Future research should determine whether reducing screen time improves overall and psychosocial HRQoL in obese adolescents.