Gadget Use, Pocket Money, and Snacking Habits of Children with and without Overweight/Obesity Problem in Surabaya, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Overweight and obesity in children is a global health problem among children of all ages. Based on the Indonesia Basic Health Research, overweight problems in children aged 5 12 years was still high, 18.8% were overweight and 8.8% were obese. In developing countries, the rate increased obesity and overweight in children 30% higher than developed countries. Aims: Our study aims to identify the relationship between gadgets use and pocket money with school children s nutritional status. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study involving 672 schoolchildren randomly selected from ten elementary schools in Surabaya City, Indonesia. Data about duration of gadget use, pocket money, and snacking habit were assessed using structured questionnaire. Body weight and height were directly measured to calculate the subject s nutritional status using digital weight scale and stadiometer. Statistical analysis done in this study was Chi-square test to assess the relationship between variable tested. Results: The results showed that 38.8% of participants were overweight. 71.9% children were having gadget use for more than 2 hours/day, exceeding the recommended time use. Duration of gadget use and pocket money were significantly correlated with the nutritional status of school children (p 0.001). Snacking habits at home (p=0.302) and school (p=0.933) were not significantly correlated with nutritional status. Conclusions: Gadget use duration and pocket money proved to be correlated with the increase of nutritional status among schoolchildren. Thus, parents should pay more attention to control gadget use and pocket money to prevent overweight.