{
  "abstract": "Background: Despite accumulated evidence suggesting that increased screen time in children and adolescents may be associated with obesity-related behaviors, potential sex-specific differences have not been fully characterized. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the association between screen time and obesity-related outcomes in children and adolescents, with a focus on sex-specific pathways and implications for public health interventions.\n\nMethods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies included those assessing screen time exposure and obesity-related outcomes in children or adolescents, with sex-specific analyses. Two reviewers independently conducted study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. Findings were synthesized based on direction of association and patterns of sex differences.\n\nResults: Of the 22 studies included in the review, 18 studies (82%) reported a significant positive association between screen time and obesity-related outcomes. Female-specific associations were more frequently linked to adiposity measures, metabolically unhealthy obesity, and psychological factors such as body image and weight concern. In contrast, male-specific associations were more often related to behavioral pathways, including increased caloric intake, problematic screen use, and sleep disruption.\n\nConclusions: Screen time is associated with obesity in children and adolescents, but its effects are mediated through sex-specific pathways involving behavioral, physiological, and psychological mechanisms. Public health interventions should incorporate sex-specific strategies which include promoting physical activity and addressing psychosocial factors among girls, and targeting problematic screen use, screen-related eating, and sleep disruption among boys. Integrated approaches across family, school, and digital environments are needed to enhance effectiveness in obesity prevention and management.\n\nKey messages: • Screen time is consistently associated with obesity in children and adolescents, and operates through sex-specific behavioral, physiological, and psychological pathways.\n\n• Effective interventions should move beyond reducing screen time alone and incorporate sex-specific, multi-component strategies targeting behavior, sleep, and psychosocial factors.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": "abstract",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Y Jeong"
    },
    {
      "name": "Y Chae"
    },
    {
      "name": "J Min"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8x60wtdn48rdx.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1675",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13699856/",
  "id": "8x60wtdn48rdx",
  "issns": [
    "1101-1262",
    "1464-360X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1675",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "6. Poster Displays"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "AcademicSubjects/MED00860"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "AcademicSubjects/SOC01210"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "AcademicSubjects/SOC02610"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "DQ. Maternal, child and adolescent public health"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2739|Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223671465",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13699856/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13699856",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": "Oxford University Press",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8x60wtdn48rdx.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:24Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13699856",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1675"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:21:31Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13699856",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13699856"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2739|Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Screen time and obesity in children: sex-specific pathways and public health implication",
  "title_text": "Screen time and obesity in children: sex-specific pathways and public health implication",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:36:22Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8x60wtdn48rdx",
  "venue": "The European Journal of Public Health",
  "versions": []
}