Study involving IdISBa and the UIB identifies the role of screen use in ultra-processed food consumption during childhood
A study published in the journal Nutrients, with the participation of IdISBa and Universitat de les Illes Balears researcher Josep A. Tur, has examined how screen-related habits may influence the consumption of ultra-processed foods among preschool children.
The research, conducted with a sample of 919 Portuguese children aged 2 to 6 years, explored the relationship between parental body mass index (BMI) and educational level, children's screen exposure time, and their consumption of ultra-processed foods such as sugary drinks, fast food products, and sweet and salty snacks.
The findings show that children of parents with a higher BMI or a lower educational level tend to consume more ultra-processed foods and spend more time in front of screens. The study highlights that a significant part of this association is mediated by sedentary behaviours linked to television, smartphones, and tablets.
According to the authors, screen use may act as a mechanism that facilitates the transmission of certain dietary habits and lifestyles across generations. In this regard, television and mobile devices were found to be the main factors associated with higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, particularly during weekends, when screen time increases substantially.
The study concludes that family-focused interventions aimed at reducing screen time and limiting children's exposure to environments that promote the consumption of ultra-processed foods could help prevent childhood obesity and encourage healthier habits from the earliest stages of life.
These findings reinforce the importance of developing health promotion strategies that integrate nutrition education and appropriate screen-use management within families, with the goal of improving children's health and well-being in the long term.
Article reference
Machado-Rodrigues AM, Fernandes HM, Stabelini Neto A, Dos Santos EA, Tur JA, Padez C, and Rodrigues D. The Mediating Role of Screen-Based Sedentary Behaviors in the Association of Parental Educational Level and BMI with Preschoolers' Ultra-Processed Food Consumption. Nutrients. 2026;18(7):1069.