Relationship of work-related and leisure-based screen time with obesity: a cross-sectional study on adults including older adults

The relationship between screen time (ST) and obesity has been demonstrated; however, few studies have differentiated between work-related and leisure-based use in Japanese adults, including older adults. This study aimed to examine the relationship between both work-related and leisure-based ST and obesity in adults.

This cross-sectional study was based on a questionnaire survey conducted in 2018. Overall, 9947 adults were invited; 3161 participants (31.8%) returned the questionnaire. Finally, 2488 participants (597 younger men (YM), 792 younger women (YW), 542 older men (OM), 557 older women (OW)) were included. The main exposures were work-related, leisure-based, and total ST. The outcome was obesity (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m²). Log-binomial regression analysis was used to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for obesity with 1-h increments of each ST. Analyses were conducted in all participants and subgroups comprising YM, YW, OM, and OW.

Total ST was significantly associated with obesity in all participants (PR (95% CI) 1.07 (1.04–1.10), YM (1.05 (1.01–1.10)), OM (1.13 (1.05–1.22)), and OW (1.13 (1.02–1.26)). Work–related ST was significantly associated with obesity in all participants (1.08 (1.04–1.12)), YM (1.06 (1.00–1.12)), and OM (1.24 (1.08–1.42)). Leisure–based ST was significantly associated with obesity in all participants (1.09 (1.04–1.14)), YM (1.09 (1.00–1.18)), and YW (1.10 (1.01–1.20)).

ST is associated with obesity in Japanese adults including older adults; particularly, work-related ST is associated with obesity in men, and leisure-based ST, in younger individuals.