Foreldrenes erfaringer og refleksjoner omkring tenåringers stillesittende atferd i forhold til skjermbruk og skjermtid

Abstract

Todays’ society is screenbased, and as a consequence adolescents are more sedentary than physically active. Possible consequences may be an increased risk for overweight or obesity, which may lead to non communicable diseases later in life. Purpose and study question To gain a deeper understanding of adolescents’ sedentary behavior through parents’ experiences and reflections, and if a high screen time is associated with higher bodyweight. Method and sample This project consists of a qualitative method where semi-structured in-depth interviews has been used on a sample of 13 parents to 12-16 years old adolescents. A thematic analysis was applied to analyze the qualitative data. In the quantitative part data on screen time from adolescents with excessive weight (―Vestfold barnefedmeregister‖), was directly compared with a normal population (―UNGKOST‖) through descriptive frequency analyzes. Results Adolescents have a high screen use because of a screenbased society. Parents use different strategies to lower adolecents’ sedentary behaviour to prevent poorer physical and psychosocial health. The descriptive frequency analyzes indicated a connection between high screen time and high bodyweight. Parents experience challenges to limit adolescents’ sedentary behaviour because schools and peers have a high screen use. Parents can however influence by being good rolemodels who shows good screen habits. Conclusion Parents’ reflections and experiences shows that adolescents have a high screen time at school and with peers. Therefore parents experience it as challenging to limit adolescents’ sedentary behaviour, but parents can influence by being good rolemodels.