The effects of blue LİGHT exposed to tv, tablet and telephone use on nutrition, growth development and sleep quality in children between 3-6 years of age

The use of television, tablet and phone in children is increasing due to the changing lifestyle, developing technology and the COVID-19 pandemic process we have been through. This increase in the use of technological devices also causes an increase in the level of blue light that children are exposed to. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of blue light that children are exposed to while using technological devices on nutrition, growth and sleep quality. The research was applied between January 2021 and March 2021, on a voluntary basis, with the data collection form and scales delivered to the mothers of 87 children between the ages of 3-6 using an online questionnaire. While the demographic characteristics of the parents and the child, anthropometric measurements and the frequency of electronic device use were questioned in the data collection form, six food groups and a total of 39 foods were examined with the "Food Consumption Frequency" form, "Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire" (CEBQ) and "Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire" (CSHQ) scales were used. As a result of the statistical analysis of the obtained data; when the effect of the duration of using electronic devices after dark on the Z score values of the children was examined, a significant difference was found in the BMI Z score value according to age (p=0.006). It has been determined that children have low sleep quality according to the CSHQ scale. When the sub-dimensions of the ÇYDA scale were compared with the duration of using electronic devices after dark, significant differences were found between the "Emotional Low Eating" sub-dimension (p<0.05). As a result, it was observed that exposure to blue light in the examined group caused some negativities in eating habits. It has been determined that children have poor sleep quality. The risk of obesity increases in children ages of 3-6, who are researched due to wrong eating habits and decreased sleep quality.