Effect of intervention programs in schools to reduce screen time: a meta-analysis

J Pediatr (Rio J). 2014 May-Jun;90(3):232-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jped.2014.01.003. Epub 2014 Mar 7.

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the effects of intervention program strategies on the time spent on activities such as watching television, playing videogames, and using the computer among schoolchildren.

Sources: a search for randomized controlled trials available in the literature was performed in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Lilacs, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library using the following Keywords randomized controlled trial, intervention studies, sedentary lifestyle, screen time, and school. A summary measure based on the standardized mean difference was used with a 95% confidence interval.

Data synthesis: a total of 1,552 studies were identified, of which 16 were included in the meta-analysis. The interventions in the randomized controlled trials (n=8,785) showed a significant effect in reducing screen time, with a standardized mean difference (random effect) of: -0.25 (-0.37, -0.13), p<0.01.

Conclusion: interventions have demonstrated the positive effects of the decrease of screen time among schoolchildren.

Keywords: Adolescent; Adolescente; Child; Criança; Estilo de vida sedentário; Saúde escolar; School health; Sedentary lifestyle.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Computers / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Promotion / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Schools*
  • Sedentary Behavior*
  • Television / statistics & numerical data
  • Time Factors
  • Video Games
  • Young Adult