Screen Culture's Impact on Generation Z Adolescents' Physical Activity, Posture and Well-being in Egypt

NCT07247305 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: SU.REC.2025 (57 H)
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 532
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Ubiquitous adoption of screen-based technologies has transformed the behavioral and physiological environment of Generation Z youth. In Egypt, where digital adoption speeds up with apace urbanisation, teens (13-18) have greater exposure to computers, mobile phones, and other screen-based devices. Growing evidence points towards excessive viewing of screens in compromised well-being, including sleep issues, inactive lifestyles, weight loss/gain, and musculoskeletal disturbances. Contextual evidence for the Egyptian teenager is scarce. This study fills the gap by investigating the multi-dimensional influence of screen culture on physical well-being, focusing on sleep quality, body mass index (BMI), posture, physical activity, and disability outcomes.

Conditions

Adolescence; Adolescent; Well Being; Posture; Physical Activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• sleep disturbance severity

  Scale Used: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) Description: The ISI is a 7-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the severity of insomnia and its impact on daily functioning. Each item is scored on a 0-4 scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 28. Higher scores indicate more severe sleep disturbance.

  1 day

• body awareness

  Scale Used: Q-BAPHYP Description: The body awareness component of the Q-BAPHYP scale assesses an individual's awareness of their body position, movement, and physical sensations. It may include items related to: Recognition of poor posture Awareness of physical discomfort during screen use Sensitivity to bodily signals (e.g., fatigue, muscle tension) Attention to ergonomic positioning

  1 Day

• Pediatric Quality of Life

  Scale Used: PedsQL™ (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) Description: The PedsQL™ is a modular instrument designed to measure health-related quality of life in children and adolescents. It covers multiple dimensions of well-being across: Physical Functioning (e.g., ability to engage in physical activities) Emotional Functioning (e.g., feeling anxious or sad) Social Functioning (e.g., interactions with peers) School Functioning (e.g., ability to concentrate and attend school)

  1 Day

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Postural Habits

  1 Day

Study Arms (1)

Adolesence

Age: 13-18 years (adolescence as per WHO standards). * Nationality: Egyptian residents. * Language Proficiency: Ability to read and comprehend English (the questionnaires are in English).

Diagnostic Test: BMI Measurement; Diagnostic Test: Screen Time Questionnaire (QUEST); Diagnostic Test: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI); Diagnostic Test: Q-BAPHYP; Diagnostic Test: PedsQL™

Interventions

BMI Measurement DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

BMI Measurement: Self-report height/weight (compared with age/sex standard BMI percentiles).

Adolesence

Screen Time Questionnaire (QUEST) DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Screen Time Questionnaire (QUEST): Assess length, purpose, and pattern of device use.

Adolesence

Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Insomnia Severity Index (ISI): 7-item sleep disturbance severity measure (score range: 0-28).

Adolesence

Q-BAPHYP DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Q-BAPHYP: 20-item scale measuring body awareness, postural habits, and ergonomic behaviors.

Adolesence

PedsQL™ DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

PedsQL™: Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory

Adolesence

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Generation Z Adolescences (Age 13 to 18)

You may qualify if:

• Age: 13-18 years (adolescence as per WHO standards).
• Nationality: Egyptian residents.
• Language Proficiency: Ability to read and comprehend English (the questionnaires are in English).
• Screen Use: ≥1 screen device used frequently (e.g., smartphone, laptop, tablet).

You may not qualify if:

• Can not o read and comprehend English language Do not have a routine of a screen time

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sinai University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sinai University

Ismailia, 11749, Egypt

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Priftis N, Panagiotakos D. Screen Time and Its Health Consequences in Children and Adolescents. Children (Basel). 2023 Oct 8;10(10):1665. doi: 10.3390/children10101665.

  PMID: 37892328 RESULT

• Fan H, Yan J, Yang Z, Liang K, Chen S. Cross-sectional associations between screen time and the selected lifestyle behaviors in adolescents. Front Public Health. 2022 Sep 27;10:932017. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.932017. eCollection 2022.

  PMID: 36238246 RESULT

• Badran M. Young people and the digital divide in Egypt: an empirical study. Eurasian Econ Rev. 2014;4:223-50.

  RESULT

• Armaneous A, Atta H, ElKhatib A, Kamal A, Sallam S. Internet Addiction among Egyptian Teens during COVID-19 Pandemic. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2024;12:388-97.

  RESULT

• Stiglic N, Viner RM. Effects of screentime on the health and well-being of children and adolescents: a systematic review of reviews. BMJ Open. 2019 Jan 3;9(1):e023191. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023191.

  PMID: 30606703 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Target Duration: 1 Day
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer , Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Posted: November 25, 2025
• Study Start: July 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: January 30, 2026
• Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

EG (1)