A UPEI researcher is taking a closer look at what makes screen time so bad for you

Research is piling up that shows screen time is bad for you, and UPEI applied human science professor Travis Saunders is taking a closer look at why.

"A lot of screens seem to really promote food intake," Saunders told CBC News.

Saunders's new research project will take a closer look at screen time, starting with subdividing the screen time itself. He wants to know if all screen time is equally bad, or if some screen activities are worse than others.

So, how does watching TV compare to playing video games or working or texting or reading?

"We don't really know yet what is having the biggest impact when we talk about screen time and health," said Saunders.

Saunders suspects any difference in these activities may be related to the eating associated with them.

"We're going to look at the health impact of those behaviours and also what is the impact of those behaviours on food intake," he said.

Changing behaviours

Saunders hopes that his research will help people be healthier.

"Even if you're active, sitting in front of a screen still has really, really important health consequences," he said.

"I'm interested in it because it has a big health impact, but it's also something that should be easier to influence. You know, getting somebody to exercise can be quite difficult. But just cutting back on your screen time is something that doesn't require any money, any special training."

Saunders's research is being funded by a Levesque research grant from UPEI worth $10,000 a year for the next three years.

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