Date of Publication :5th April 2024

Abstract:The aim of the current study was to understand the relationship between gadget exposure and physical activity of preschool children, while also understanding the influence of family type and the availability of mothers in the association. It also aimed to assess the impact of parenting styles and the pandemic on these behaviours. The cross-sectional study included 154 parents of children aged 2-5 years, assessed their child’s screen time and physical activity through validated questions and used a self-report parenting style scale to collect the data. The results showed a significant negative correlation between screen time and physical activity and significant differences due to parenting styles in this association. The children also showed an increased screen time during the lockdown years, which was back to previous levels after the pandemic. The family structure and availability of mothers significantly affected screen time but not physical activity. The findings suggest the need for early interventions to manage the negative impacts of early gadget exposure on child development. Further research also needs to focus on the differential impact of the kinds of exposure on the child.

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