Associations between screen time and dietary intake among early adolescents: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Given concerns that screen time may impact dietary habits, this study investigated the association between screen time and dietary intake among adolescents in the United States. METHODS: We analyzed a prospective cohort (N = 6485, 47.3% female, age: 12 ± 0.7 years) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, using data from Year 2 (2018-2020) and Year 3 (2019-2021). Multinomial logistic regression models estimated the associations between participant-reported screen time (watching television shows and videos, playing video games, socializing, browsing the internet, and total screen time (hours/day)) and parent/participant-reported intake of various food/nutrient categories 1 year later (Year 3). We adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, household income, parent education, average daily kilocalorie intake, respective food or nutrient, and study site (Year 2). RESULTS: Each additional hour of most screen time modalities was prospectively associated with higher odds of consuming fewer fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fiber, and dairy, and higher glycemic index, and higher odds of consuming more added sugars and a higher polyunsaturated fats ratio 1 year later. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need for parental guidance and clinical interventions to support screen time habits and promote healthy dietary choices among adolescents. IMPACT: This study examines the association between contemporary screen time modalities and dietary intake 1 year later in a demographically diverse U.S. sample of early adolescents. Most screen time modalities, such as total screen time and watching television shows and videos, were prospectively associated with higher odds of consuming fewer fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fiber 1 year later. Greater total screen time and time spent socializing were prospectively associated with higher odds of a higher polyunsaturated fats ratio 1 year later.