Leisure screen time predicts free sugar consumption in children

•Data regarding the association between screen time and intake of free sugar in children are limited.•This study aimed to investigate the consumption of free sugar in relation to leisure screen time in children.•A large proportion of children exceeded the maximum limit of screen time recommended for children.•Maternal and child ages and child's sibling birth order were significantly associated with the duration of leisure screen time.•Longer duration of leisure screen time predicted higher consumption of free sugar in children. This study aimed to investigate free sugar consumption (FSC) in relation to leisure screen time in children. Cross-sectional data of 424 healthy Saudi children ages 6 to 12 y were included in this study. Data pertaining to sociodemographic characteristics and leisure screen time (including time spent viewing TV, gaming, and use of electronic devices [e.g., computer, tablet, and smartphone]) in children were collected from mothers via an online questionnaire. A phone interview was later conducted with the mother and child to assess FSC using a previously validated 40-item food frequency questionnaire. Our data found that a large proportion of children exceeded the maximum limit of screen time recommended for children, of ≤2 h/d (61.7%; n = 262). Child and maternal ages and child's birth order among siblings were significantly associated with the duration of leisure screen time (screen time within the recommendation of ≤2 h/d versus screen time that exceeded the recommendation; P < 0.050). Exceeding the recommendation of screen time predicted an increase of 8.96 g/d of FSC from liquid foods, 10.7 g/d of FSC from solid foods, and 19.3 g/d of total FSC. Exceeding the recommendation of screen time is associated with greater FSC in children. Future interventions should be directed toward restricting screen time and FSC in children.