Screen Exposure in 4-Year-Old Children: Association with Development, Daily Habits, and Ultra-Processed Food Consumption

This study aimed to investigate the association between child development, daily habits, and ultra-processed food consumption with screen exposure in 4-year-old children. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic data, the child's daily habits, and screenings for child development and eating habits. The daily screen exposure time (cell phone, computer, television, and/or tablet) was measured in minutes and classified as inadequate if >60 min. We conducted bivariate analyses and a generalized linear model. Overall, 362 caregivers-children pairs were investigated. The average screen time per child was 120 min (IQR: 120), and most of the children (71%) showed inadequate screen time for the age group. The longest screen time was associated with the lowest score in child development (β = -0.03; <i>p</i> = 0.01), an increased habit of eating in front of screens (β = 0.34; <i>p</i> < 0.001), and the highest score of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) (β = 0.05; <i>p</i> = 0.001). The sample showed a high prevalence of inadequate screen time, and this has been associated with the lowest score in child development, an increased habit of eating in front of screens, and the highest score of UPFs.