ASSOCIATION OF SCREEN TIME AND DELAY IN GROSS MOTOR SKILLS IN EARLY SCHOOL-GOING CHILDREN IN HAYATABAD, PESHAWAR: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Early school years are important for the development of gross motor skills, while increasing screen exposure may reduce opportunities for active play and movement practice. This study aimed to determine the association between screen time and gross motor skill delay among early school-going children.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 children aged 3–10 years at Hayatabad Model School, Phase 4, Hayatabad, Peshawar. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Screen exposure was assessed using the SCREENS-Q questionnaire, while gross motor skills were evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development–Second Edition (TGMD-2). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and outcome measures. Pearson's correlation was performed to determine the association between screen exposure and gross motor skill delay, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: Among the 100 participants, 53 (53%) were male and 47 (47%) were female. Daily screen exposure exceeded 2 hours in 56 (56%) children, while 37 (37%) had 1–2 hours and 7 (7%) had less than 1 hour of exposure. TGMD-2 assessment identified mild gross motor skill delay in 53 (53%) children, moderate delay in 18 (18%), and severe delay in 2 (2%), while 27 (27%) showed no delay. Pearson's correlation demonstrated a weak positive and statistically significant association between screen exposure and gross motor skill delay (r = 0.284, p = 0.004).

Conclusion: Higher screen exposure was significantly associated with greater gross motor skill delay among early school-going children. Although the correlation was weak, the findings highlight the importance of balancing screen-based activities with regular physical activity and active play to support healthy motor development.