Associations of smartphone, computer, and television use with insufficient sleep duration and overweight/obesity among Lithuanian adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Excessive use of screen-based devices may be associated with a higher risk of various adverse health outcomes in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between smartphone, computer, and television use and insufficient sleep duration and overweight/obesity among Lithuanian children and adolescents aged 11-18 years. Data on self-reported smartphone, computer, and television use, as well as sleep duration on weekdays, were collected from 1,350 schoolchildren aged 11 to 18 who participated in a cross-sectional study conducted in Lithuania between November 2019 and March 2020. Use of smartphone, computer, and television was categorised into two groups: <2 h/day and ≥ 2 h/day for each device. Overall, 54.5% of the participants reported using a smartphone for ≥ 2 h/day, 28.1% reported using a computer for ≥ 2 h/day, and 7.8% reported watching television for ≥ 2 h/day. After adjusting for age, BMI, and physical activity, participants who used a smartphone ≥ 2 h/day had significantly higher odds of insufficient sleep duration (boys: aOR = 2.49 (95% CI 1.81-3.44) and girls: aOR = 2.57 (95% CI 1.80-3.66). Participants who used a computer ≥ 2 h/day had also significantly greater odds of insufficient sleep duration (boys: aOR = 1.94 (95% CI 1.41-2.67) and girls: aOR = 1.92 (95% CI 1.25-2.94). After adjusting for age, sleep duration, and physical activity, computer use ≥ 2 h/day was associated with increased odds of overweight/obesity only among boys (aOR = 1.45 (95% CI 1.03-2.05)). Our study revealed significant associations between prolonged smartphone and computer use with insufficient sleep duration among Lithuanian schoolchildren. Additionally, greater computer use was associated with increased odds of overweight/obesity, specifically in boys.