The study found that children between the ages of 9 and 11 in the US who have more screen time are more likely to develop an overeating disorder (BED), and social media is the main culprit.
Every hour spent on social media was linked to a 62% higher risk of eating disorder a year later, while every hour spent on TV or movies was linked to a 39% higher risk, found the study.
Excessive eating disorder is characterized by recurrent, short episodes of high food intake – or binging – often accompanied by a sense of loss of control. People with BED usually feel pain or guilt after bingeing, the researchers said.
But some common screen-related distractions could make room for previous diagnoses.
“Over-watching television can lead to excessive consumption behaviors due to excessive consumption and loss of control,” Nagata said in a press release.
This excessive consumption, associated with social networks – which can cause a negative body image in children, is shown in the statement – can create the conditions for excessive consumption.
While previous research has examined the associations between screen time and mindless consumption or overeating, Dr. Natalie D. Muth, president of the obesity department at the American Academy of Pediatrics, told CNN that the new study specifically focuses on excessive.
However, she said, it is important to recognize that this study indicates an association – not a causality.
“It’s not clear that screen time actually causes binging,” she said. “There may be something else – maybe depression or boredom – that can lead to both behaviors.”
The pandemic requires more screen time
“The Covid-19 pandemic has led children to spend so much time on screens for both school and entertainment, given a huge gap in extracurriculars,” Muth said.
She said the American Academy of Pediatrics has seen an increase in obesity and eating disorders since the advent of Covid-19, raising concerns among experts about the post-pandemic consequences.
“Once we get over this pandemic, we will be dealing with a mental health error for children and adolescents for a while,” she said. “Part of this will be related to screen time-dependent behaviors and eating problems, including bing.”
But parents can be proactive
The pandemic encouraged prolonged screen-based behaviors and often necessitated it through online schooling. But parents can follow strategies to keep risks to a minimum.
Muth recommends scheduling meal and snack hours as much as possible, with limited distractions. She said parents should not allow or strongly discourage eating on a screen or device.
And sleep is important, Muth said, because increased eating behaviors tend to occur later in the evening. She recommends that you do not have screen time within one hour of bedtime. Parents can ban devices in children’s rooms for this purpose, she said.
It is important for parents to model healthy relationships with food and to practice these tips as well.
But if parents notice behaviors in their children, Muth said, they can talk to them openly to better understand what’s going on – and seek help if they’re worried that their child’s eating habits have gotten out of hand.
While the study was conducted before the outbreak of Covid-19, its findings are timely and highlight the need for further research on the correlations between screening time and adolescent well-being, the statement said.