Active commuting and healthy eating habits are inversely associated with screen time in Brazilian adolescents

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the association between screen time and health behaviors (physical activity and healthy eating habits) in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted on 1233 adolescents (13 - 19 years) from private and public schools of Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Participants reported sociodemographic and behavioral (i.e., physical activity, food intake, and screen time) characteristics via questionnaire. Screen time was assessed as the sum of the time spent in the following activities: watching TV, using a computer, and playing video games. Results: A negative effect in screen time was observed in adolescents who engaged in 16 min or more of active commuting per day (β = -1.02 95%CI -1.79 to -0.24). A similar effect was observed in adolescents who reported a daily intake of breakfast (β = -0.81 95%CI -1.40 to -0.22), fruits (β = -0.60 95%CI -1.18 to -0.01), and vegetables (β = -0.99 95%CI -1.70 to -0.28). Conclusion: A healthy lifestyle, such as engaging in active commuting and having healthy eating habits, was associated with a reduced time spent in sedentary screen-based activities.