A cross-sectional study conducted in Portugal has identified significant associations between high screen time and several adverse lifestyle and mental health outcomes in preschool children. Published in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, the research examined a cohort of 931 children aged two to six years. The primary objective was to assess how screen exposure relates to daily habits, including sleep and diet, and to evaluate the connection between these factors and emotional and behavioral difficulties.
Data collection relied on parent-completed questionnaires to assess children’s lifestyle habits and emotional and behavioral difficulties. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was the primary instrument used to measure mental health indicators. In addition to self-reported data, anthropometric measurements were collected to account for physical health factors. Screen time was categorized into three distinct levels: low, defined as 60 minutes or less per day; moderate, ranging from more than 60 to less than 120 minutes per day; and high, defined as 120 minutes or more per day.
The analysis employed linear and logistic regression models to adjust for potential confounding variables. These adjustments included the child’s age, sex, body mass index, and parental education level.
Regarding lifestyle habits, the study found that high screen time was significantly associated with shorter weekday sleep duration. Children in the high screen time category also reported higher consumption of ultra-processed foods. However, the study did not find significant associations between high screen time and active play time or participation in extracurricular sports after adjustment.
In terms of mental health, children with high screen time had higher odds of scoring in the abnormal range on the SDQ. This suggests a greater prevalence of emotional and behavioral difficulties among those with higher screen exposure. The study also identified other factors independently associated with SDQ categories. Longer weekend sleep duration and lower maternal educational level were found to be significant predictors of mental health outcomes.
The conclusions drawn from this study support current recommendations for promoting balanced screen use and healthy lifestyle habits during early childhood. Furthermore, the study highlights the role of family and sociodemographic factors in shaping children’s mental health.
The cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences, meaning it is not possible to determine whether high screen time causes the observed outcomes or if other factors contribute to both. Additionally, the reliance on parent-reported data for lifestyle habits and screen time may introduce measurement bias. The sample was drawn from Portugal, which may limit the applicability of the findings to other populations.
Subject of Research: Associations between screen time, lifestyle habits, and mental health in preschool children
Article Title: Screen use, lifestyle habits and mental health in preschool children: a cross-sectional study
Article References: Ródenas-Munar, M., Costa, G., Bouzas, C., Machado-Rodrigues, A. M., Tur, J. A., & Rodrigues, D. (2026). Screen use, lifestyle habits and mental health in preschool children: a cross-sectional study. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-026-01158-6
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1186/s13034-026-01158-6
Keywords: screen time, preschool children, mental health, sleep duration, ultra-processed foods, cross-sectional study, Portugal, behavioral difficulties, lifestyle habits, SDQ, Screen, lifestyle
