How screens affect preschoolers' sleep and weight
Technology and digital media's influence on preschool children's sleep and weight status
['FUNDING_P01'] · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · NIH-11174303
This project looks at how TV, tablets, phones, and video games relate to sleep and weight in preschool children.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HOUSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11174303 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, the team will use a new passive camera system called FLASH-TV plus methods for measuring mobile device use to record your child's time with TVs, game consoles, and mobile screens. Your child will wear a small wrist sensor that tracks sleep while screen use is recorded for two 10-day periods spaced 12 months apart, and researchers will measure height and weight. Parents will answer brief questions about routines and device rules to help explain differences between children. The team will link directly measured screen time and sleep patterns to changes in BMI and other health outcomes over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are preschool-aged children (roughly 1–5 years old) whose families use TVs, tablets, phones, or game consoles and who can have screen use and sleep monitored.
Not a fit: Children who are not in the preschool age range or whose families have no regular screen exposure likely would not benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help parents and clinicians reduce screen-related sleep problems and lower obesity risk in young children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies linked screen time to higher weight but relied on parent reports, so using passive objective measures like FLASH-TV is a newer approach intended to provide stronger evidence.
Where this research is happening
HOUSTON, UNITED STATES
- BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE — HOUSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'CONNOR, TERESIA MARGARETA — BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- Study coordinator: O'CONNOR, TERESIA MARGARETA
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.