The Association Between Daily Screen Time and Childhood Overweight and Obesity: Current Evidence and Potential Mechanisms.

Authors

Ling Lu, Yuning Gu, Wenhui Yang, Zhaofeng Liang

Published in

International journal of general medicine. Volume 19. Pages 644622. Epub Sep 16, 2026.

Abstract

In recent decades, the widespread adoption of digital devices has led to a dramatic increase in screen time among children, raising significant public health concerns. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the relationship between daily screen exposure and the rising prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity. Childhood overweight and obesity are established risk factors for children's mental health problems in the short term and for the occurrence and development of various chronic diseases in adulthood. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for observational and intervention studies published in English between 2005 and 2026, using combinations of the terms "screen time", "television", "video games", "social media", "children", "adolescents", "overweight", and "obesity". Mounting evidence suggests that prolonged engagement with screens whether through television, smartphones, tablets, or computers is associated with to an elevated risk of weight-related health issues in children. However, the strength and consistency of this association vary across age groups, screen modalities, and study designs, with much of the evidence deriving from observational research that precludes definitive causal inference. Our review evaluates existing literature, encompassing recent empirical findings, theoretical perspectives, and proposed mechanistic pathways underlying this association. Key factors under examination include sedentary behavior displacing physical activity, exposure to unhealthy food marketing, disrupted sleep patterns, and the potential metabolic effects of prolonged screen use. Notably, these pathways are presented as proposed rather than definitively established mechanisms, given the predominance of cross-sectional and longitudinal observational data. Furthermore, this review explores evidence-based intervention strategies aimed at mitigating screen-related health risks, emphasizing the role of parental guidance, school-based policies, and public health initiatives in fostering healthier developmental trajectories for children. By integrating multidisciplinary insights, this review aims to inform future research directions and practical interventions to address this pressing global health challenge.

PMID:
42764967
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 21 Sep 2026.

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