Electronic media use and food intake in Thai toddlers
Issued Date
2022-09-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01956663
eISSN
10958304
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85131419803
Pubmed ID
35671917
Journal Title
Appetite
Volume
176
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Appetite Vol.176 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Teekavanich S., Rukprayoon H., Sutchritpongsa S., Rojmahamongkol P. Electronic media use and food intake in Thai toddlers. Appetite Vol.176 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.appet.2022.106121 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/86791
Title
Electronic media use and food intake in Thai toddlers
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Objectives: Viewing electronic media at mealtime is a common coping strategy for feeding difficulties, but its impact on food consumption is not known. We studied the prevalence of electronic media use at mealtime, its association with food intake, and associated factors. Methods: 138 healthy 18- to 30-month-old children were classified according to the presence of feeding difficulties using the Thai language version of the Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale. Electronic media use and 3-day food intake history were collected. Each child's mean energy intake and time spent eating were compared between meals consumed with and without electronic media. Results: 58% of children watched electronic media while eating. Children with feeding difficulties ingested significantly more energy per meal when they watched media (184.0 ± 104.0 vs 152.7 ± 67.0, p = 0.04). Children without feeding difficulties spent significantly more minutes per meal when watching media (29.9 ± 10.1 vs 26.2 ± 7.6, p = 0.001). Longer total daily screen time (p < 0.001) and presence of feeding difficulties (p = 0.006) were associated with regular media use. Children who regularly used media at mealtime were significantly more likely to have a BMI-for-age z score classification as obese (16.7% VS 0.9%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Media use during feeding is associated with greater energy intake and longer meal duration. Thai children who regularly use media at mealtime were significantly more likely to be obese. Children with longer total daily screen time, and those with feeding difficulties are more likely to regularly use media at mealtime.