Quito children spend five hours daily on screens, leading to rising health problems

A concerning trend is emerging in Quito, Ecuador, where children as young as eight are presenting with health issues typically seen in adults, such as high cholesterol and hypertension. Pediatric endocrinologist Viviana González notes that these cases are becoming increasingly common and severe, often linked to a sedentary lifestyle dominated by screen time, poor sleep, and unhealthy diets.

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An eight-year-old child comes to consultation with the cholesterol of a 45-year-old adult. Skyrocketing triglycerides, fatty liver confirmed by ultrasound, high blood pressure for his age. He has no underlying disease.

Recent data from Quito's Health Secretariat reveals that children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 spend an average of five hours daily engaged with screens for recreation. This figure more than doubles the two-hour daily limit recommended by international health organizations. The survey indicates that for every ten additional hours of screen time per week, the likelihood of a child being overweight or obese increases by one percentage point, even when accounting for diet and physical activity.

Public health authorities are sounding the alarm, highlighting that while the individual risk might seem small, the collective impact on thousands of children exposed daily transforms it into a major public health crisis. The World Health Organization consistently advises limiting recreational screen time to two hours per day to mitigate these risks.

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Eight out of 10 children and adolescents in Quito have access to screens.

Furthermore, the study shows that educational screen use accounts for less than 30 minutes daily, while entertainment, social media, and gaming consume the majority of the five hours. Screen time also escalates with age, with teenagers aged 15 to 19 spending over 6.5 hours daily on screens, with 90% using social media. This issue, while amplified by modern technology, has roots in earlier media consumption patterns, posing a sustained challenge for educators and parents alike.

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For every ten additional hours of screen time per week, the probability of having overweight or obesity increases by one percentage point, even considering other factors such as diet and physical activity.