An investigation into the connection between Chinese adolescents' physical fitness index and screen time

Background : To investigate the connection between Chinese adolescents' screen time and physical fitness index and to offer some foundation for raising their level of physical fitness while also limiting their screen time. Methods :Using a stratified cluster random sample technique, 5018 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 were chosen from seven different regions of China between September and December 2023 to participate in a screen time survey and a physical fitness test. The rate of screen time compliance among adolescents was assessed using the χ ² test, and the impact of screen time on the physical fitness index was examined using linear regression. Results : Overall, the detection rate of screen time non-attainment was 17.3% for teenagers with a high physical fitness index and 18.6% for those with a poor one; the difference between the two was statistically significant (χ ² =1035.02, p <0.001); For both genders, the detection rate of non-attainment of screen time was 19.0% and 15.5% for adolescents with high physical fitness index grades, and 21.0% and 16.1% for those with low grades. This difference was statistically significant (p <0.001); For middle school pupils with high physical fitness index scores, the detection rate of non-attainment of screen time was 19.0% and 15.5% at the school section level, but it was 21.0% and 16.1% for those with low scores.At the school level, junior high school students' non-attainment of screen time was detected at a rate of 16.1% for high grade and 20.6% for low grade, which differed statistically (p <0.001).There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in the detection rates of screen time non-attainment between high school students (18.6%) and low school students (16.1%).Screen time and the physical fitness index had a significant negative connection, according to regression analysis (β=0.05, p < 0.001). Conclusions : Adolescent screen time was negatively correlated with physical fitness index, i.e., the longer the adolescent screen time, the lower the physical fitness index. Clinical trial number Not applicable