Relationship between problematic media use, obesogenic family environments, and emotional-behavioral problems among primary school students in the central district of Edirne

SUMMARY The family environment and the use of visual media play a critical role in the mental and physical health of children. The aim of this study was to determine primary school students' visual media usage habits, tendencies towards problematic media use, the obesogenicity of their family environments, and the risk of emotional-behavioral problems, as well as to identify the relationships between these factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2023 and June 2024. A 106-question form, including a 34-question survey, the Problematic Media Use Scale, the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Scale, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, was administered to the parents of 1,007 primary school students attending schools in the central district of Edirne. According to the findings of the study; overweight or obese students' visual media usage time at the weekend is higher than underweight and healthy weight students. As the students' media use times increased, their sleep durations decreased, and tendencies towards problematic media use increased. Significant relationships were found between an obesogenic family environment, problematic media use, and emotional-behavioral problems. Students from more obesogenic family environments had higher tendencies towards problematic media use and emotional-behavioral problem risks. In addition, as the tendency towards problematic media use increased, the risk of emotional-behavioral problems also increased. Age, gender, age of first exposure to visual media, screen exposure before bedtime, parental attitudes, leisure time activities, and family nutrition and physical activity patterns were identified as predictors of problematic media use. It has been shown that problematic media use tendencies, family nutrition and physical activity patterns and socioeconomic level play a significant role in students' emotional-behavioural problem risks. In conclusion, to ensure the physical and cognitive healthy development of primary school students, a better understanding of the relationships between obesogenic factors in the family environment, problematic media use, and emotional-behavioral problems, as well as parent guidance and holistic interventions, are necessary. Keywords: Primary school students, Problematic media use, Obesogenic family environment, Emotional and behavioral problems