Screen use and consumption of ultra-processed foods among Brazilian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between screen time, including time spent watching television and using media (television, computer, and cell phone) during meals, and high consumption of ultra-processed foods among Brazilian adolescents.

METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional study using data from the 2019 Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (National School Health Survey), analyzing a sample of 123,761 adolescents (ages 13-17). Consumption of ultra-processed foods was assessed using a score based on the frequency of consumption of thirteen subgroups of ultra-processed foods on the previous day. High consumption was defined as a score of seven or higher, corresponding to the top quintile. The association was investigated using Poisson regression models, adjusted for sex, age, self-reported race/skin color, geographic region, location (urban/rural), school type (public/private), and wealth index.

RESULTS

The prevalence of high consumption of ultra-processed foods (scores ≥ 7) was 16.15% (95% CI 15.46-16.86). A dose-response relationship was observed, with higher prevalences associated with increased screen time, both for time spent watching television and for media use during meals. Adolescents who watched television for > 6 h/day had a 90% higher prevalence of high consumption of ultra-processed foods (PRa = 1.90; 95% CI 1.72-2.11) compared with those who did not watch television. The association was significant even in the category with the lowest exposure time (up to 1 h/day). Similarly, adolescents who used media every day during meals had a 55% higher prevalence (PRa = 1.55; 95% CI 1.43-1.68).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings demonstrate a direct and significant association between increased screen time and high consumption of ultra-processed foods among Brazilian adolescents. This study reinforces the need for public health interventions that address excessive screen time as a key behavioral factor in the consumption of ultra-processed foods in this population.