Exploring the use of screen during children's meals: An evaluation in the North and South regions of Brazil

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The use of television by children during meals establishes changes in food and behavioral choices. In this context, the physiological signs of hunger and satiety are modified, causing a preference for ultra-processed and high-calorie foods. One of the main reasons for carrying out this practice is the primary attitude of those responsible for acquiring this habit. In this way, this act can promote relevant organic consequences for infants.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of television use during meals by children aged 5 to 9 years in the North and South regions of Brazil.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative and descriptive study, with records from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN). Data were collected regarding screen use during meals by children aged 5 to 9 years, from 2019 to 2023, in the North and South regions of Brazil.  The variables considered for analysis included the average number of child visits, as well as the average amount who had access to the screen at the time of feeding. The year, sex, color and peoples/communities were also considered.

RESULTS: During the 5 years analyzed, it was possible to verify an average of 47,714.2 visits of children between 5 and 9 years of age, in the northern region of the country, with 23,334.8 being the average value corresponding to those who had the habit of having meals while watching television. In the South, the average number of consultations was 52,702.8, of which the average value of children who presented the behavior in question corresponded to 26,460.8. In the first region, the predominant sex and color were, respectively, female and brown, while in the second, male and white. Finally, the years 2022 and 2023 exceeded the average value of the five years, in relation to the habit of watching TV during meals and the category "others" stood out for peoples/communities in the two regions analyzed.

CONCLUSION: Therefore, the use of screens during meals in children aged 5 to 9 years in the North and South regions is high and increasing, with the South region being the most prevalent with emphasis on the white ethnicity. The habit of using screens and eating during childhood can have great physical and mental consequences. Thus, it is of paramount importance to monitor the time of exposure to age for the prevention of diseases in adult life.