PLAYING VIDEO GAMES AND LACK OF SLEEP IN RELATION TO CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND SHORT STATURE: A POPULATION-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN MADINAH, SAUDI ARABIA.

Background:-Obesity and short stature among children are two of the most common problems that face the community especially in the developing countries. Objective:- This study investigates how lack of sleep and playing video-games affects the developing of obesity and short stature in Madinah region, Saudi children. Subjects and methods:-A cross-sectional study was conducted by using a questionnaire for information gathering about effect of lack of sleep and playing video-games on children’s weight and height. About 280 parent and child in different age group from Madinah, Saudi Arabia volunteered to answer the questionnaire. Results:-The results of the study revealed that increasing the frequency exposure to screens (watching TV and playing video games ) is significantly associated with increase the risk of developing obesity and short stature among children. the study excluded the effect of hormonal deficiency, nutritional, vitamins deficiency or chronic diseases. Conclusion:-Watching TV, playing video games and lack of sleep may increase the risk of developing obesity and short stature in Saudi children.We advise the community to reduce the children exposure to screens and giving children enough amount of sleep will be an effective approach for improving mental and physical health, This can be done via different ways using media and health education sessions in different places may be helpful.