Associations between Screen Time and Factors Related to Dental Caries in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To evaluate the association of screen time (ST) and unhealthy food consumption (UFC) with dental caries in children. Associations between ST or UFC and socioeconomic/demographic factors were also performed. Material and Methods: Children (n=47) between 2 and 12 years were included and examined for caries experience (dmft/DMFT index). Socioeconomic, demographic, ST (TV + computer time), and UFC were data collected through interviews. ST was compared between children with dmft <= 2 or >2. Multiple regression models evaluated associations between socioeconomic/demographic factors and TV/computer times/UFC. Results: Children's ST was 5.35 +/- 2.01 h/day, 51.1% had UFC >4 times/day, 53.2% showed dmft <= 2 and 87.5% DMFT=0. Mothers were the primary caregivers (78.7%), who presented as less than having completed high school level (76.1%) and having low socioeconomic status (SES) (51.1%). No difference between ST of children with dmft >2 (5.91 +/- 1.92h/day) and those with dmft <= 2 (4.86 +/- 2.00h/day) was observed (p=0.07). Children from low SES watched TV more than 2h/day (p=0.01), and those whose mothers had lower education levels presented the highest UFC (p=0.03). Most children with UFC >4 times/day stayed longer in front of a computer (p=0.013). Conclusion: Although screen time and unhealthy food consumption were not associated with caries, children staying for a long time in front of a computer presented the highest unhealthy food consumption. Also, mothers' lower socioeconomic status and higher educational levels influenced children to watch TV for a long time and eat a poor diet, respectively.