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

Screen Culture's Impact on Generation Z Adolescents' Physical Activity, Posture and Well-being in Egypt: A Cross-sectional Study

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Adolescent; Physical Activity; Well Being; Posture; Adolescence
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: BMI Measurement; Diagnostic test: Screen Time Questionnaire (QUEST); Diagnostic test: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI); Diagnostic test: Q-BAPHYP; Diagnostic test: PedsQL™

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 532

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Ismailia, Egypt, 11749
    • Sinai university

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Generation Z Adolescences (Age 13 to 18)

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 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).

Exclusion Criteria:

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Intervention / Treatment

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; BMI Measurement: Self-report height/weight (compared with age/sex standard BMI percentiles).; Diagnostic test: Screen Time Questionnaire (QUEST); Screen Time Questionnaire (QUEST): Assess length, purpose, and pattern of device use.; Diagnostic test: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI); Insomnia Severity Index (ISI): 7-item sleep disturbance severity measure (score range: 0-28).; Diagnostic test: Q-BAPHYP; Q-BAPHYP: 20-item scale measuring body awareness, postural habits, and ergonomic behaviors.; Diagnostic test: PedsQL™; PedsQL™: Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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 Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Postural Habits	The body awareness component of the Q-BAPHYP scale assesses an individual's awareness of their body position, movement, and physical sensations	1 Day

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Sinai University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

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

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): January 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 20, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): November 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 4, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 30, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior; Motor Activity
• Other Study ID Numbers: SU.REC.2025 (57 H)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: According to the data confidentiality

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No