Screen Time, Sedentary Behavior and Metabolic Risk Biomarkers in Young Medical Students: A Cross‑Sectional Study from Faisalabad Medical University

Abstract

Background: Rapid digitalization and demanding academic schedules have led to excessive screen time and sedentary behavior among medical students. The metabolic consequences of these behaviors in young Pakistani adults remain understudied. Objective: To examine the cross‑sectional associations of screen time and total sedentary time with a comprehensive panel of metabolic risk biomarkers in medical, dental, and nursing students. Methods: A total of 200 apparently healthy students aged 18–25 years were recruited from Faisalabad Medical University using stratified random sampling. Screen time was assessed with the Screen Time Questionnaire (STQ) and sedentary time with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ‑SF). Fasting blood samples were analyzed for glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, high‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‑C), low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‑C), triglycerides, and high‑sensitivity C‑reactive protein (hs‑CRP). Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA‑IR) was computed. Multivariable linear regression models were adjusted for age, sex, degree program, study year, dietary score, and moderate‑to‑vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Results: Mean daily screen time was 5.3 ± 2.1 h and sedentary time was 9.1 ± 2.8 h. Each additional hour of screen time was independently associated with a 0.48 kg/m² higher BMI (95% CI 0.12–0.84, p = .009), 1.2 mg/dL lower HDL‑C (p = .002), 8.6 mg/dL higher triglycerides (p = .001), 0.15 unit greater HOMA‑IR (p = .015), and 0.22 mg/L higher log‑transformed hs‑CRP (p = .023). Joint analysis demonstrated that the combination of high screen time (≥6 h/day) and low physical activity conferred the most adverse metabolic profile. Conclusion: Screen time is an independent correlate of adverse metabolic biomarkers in young Pakistani medical students. Embedding screen‑time reduction strategies and promoting physical activity within medical curricula may help mitigate early metabolic risk.