Screen-based media use and screen time assessment among adolescents residing in an Urban Resettlement Colony in New Delhi, India

BACKGROUND: Media forms an important part of the lives of adolescents in as much as the shows they watch on television, playing video games, as well as visiting the various websites. There is a growing concern of the influence of media on every aspect of health of children and adolescents. About 95% of the population in India has availability of television. India has limited studies which have explored the use of screen-based media (SBM) and its effect on child health. This study was conducted to assess the pattern of SBM use. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in an Urban Resettlement Colony, New Delhi. The study included 550 adolescents of age group from 10 to 19 years of age selected through simple random sampling from a list of adolescents residing in the area. A semi-structured interview schedule was used. RESULTS: About 98% of the adolescents used SBM. Television formed the maximum used media (96.5%). The mean (standard deviation) of the screen time was found to be 3.8 (2.77) h/day. Out of the total screen time, time contributed by television is 2.8 h/day followed by other SBM. About 68% of adolescents reported having screen time more than the recommended (>2 h). Significant association was observed between screen time and watching television while eating [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.35 (0.22, 0.55)]. CONCLUSION: High proportion of adolescents use SBM for more than the recommended screen time. We should have a recommendation for maximum screen time separately for developing countries.