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A new multinational study has revealed alarming trends in the sedentary behavior of adolescents around the world, with teens spending an average of 8 to 10 hours a day engaged in screen-based activities, far surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of two to three hours per day. The study, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, sheds light on the significant influence that both home and neighborhood environments have on these patterns.
Led by Dr. James F. Sallis, a distinguished professor at the University of California San Diego, the study analyzed data from nearly 10,000 adolescents aged 11 to 19 across 14 countries. The findings indicate a strong link between excessive sedentary behavior and factors such as personal social media use, the number of electronic devices in the home, and neighborhood walkability.
One of the study’s most striking discoveries was the connection between having a personal social media account and increased sedentary time. Both male and female adolescents who had their own accounts reported significantly more screen time, which raises concerns about the negative physical health impacts of prolonged screen engagement. “Although there is great concern about the effects of social media on youth mental health, this study shows a pathway for social media to harm physical health as well,” said Dr. Sallis. The study emphasizes the potential for excessive sedentary behavior to contribute to a range of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders.
The research team analyzed data from 3,982 adolescents using accelerometers to measure physical activity and survey responses from an additional 6,302 participants. The study encompassed 15 countries from six continents, providing a broad cross-cultural perspective on adolescent sedentary habits.
Key differences emerged in the home environments of adolescents across countries. For example, teens in India and Bangladesh reported having fewer personal electronic devices compared to those in Denmark, where teens had significantly more devices. In India and Bangladesh, fewer than 30% of adolescents had their own social media accounts, while in higher-income countries, such as Denmark, over 90% had personal social media profiles.
Neighborhood walkability also emerged as a crucial factor influencing sedentary behavior. Adolescents in Australia, where access to parks is high, were less likely to engage in recreational screen time compared to those in Nigeria and other countries where walkability was poor. The study found that neighborhoods designed to support physical activity and perceived safety from traffic and crime were associated with less sedentary behavior.
“Adolescents living in neighborhoods with good infrastructure for walking and better safety perceptions had significantly lower screen time,” said Dr. Ranjit Mohan Anjana, the study’s lead author. “This highlights the importance of environmental factors in promoting healthier behaviors among youth.”
The study’s findings underscore the need for a coordinated effort among parents, policymakers, and technology companies to address the growing concern of sedentary behavior. Limiting screen time, reducing social media usage, and promoting physical activity can help adolescents develop healthier habits and reduce their risk of chronic diseases.
The countries involved in the study include Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czechia, Denmark, India, Israel, Malaysia, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. The findings serve as a call to action for global public health initiatives aimed at improving adolescent well-being.
For more information, refer to the study: Associations of perceived neighbourhood and home environments with sedentary behaviour among adolescents in 14 countries in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2024).
