The relationship between the pattern of time use and aspects of growth and development of children based on the levels of international classification of functioning (ICF)

Optimal use of time can result in growth and development for children and adolescents. Knowing about impacts of time use on child development and characteristics can help families and responsible organization to plan time management, hence preventive and intervention strategies. The goal of the present study was to explore the relationship between the pattern of time use and individual characteristics, growth and development of the children and adolescents based on the levels of international classification functioning, disabilities and handicap.
A systematic review of the literature was conducted based on articles published from 2005 to 2015. Keywords included in the search were: "time use", “child” and “adolescent”. The process of study included a preliminary search and choosing keywords, determining the search strategy, organizing search titles, brief review of the titles of articles and dissertations, examining the initial findings. In addition, compliance of those with inclusion criteria based on abstracts of results were performed. To determine relevant studies, the peruse and analysis of the full text and summing up the final conclusions were also carried out.
Six hundred and fifty-eight articles and dissertations were found in preliminary search, and 64 items identified after removing duplicates and peruse of abstracts. In total, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Final findings could be classified in ten topics that comprising the levels of International Classification of Functioning (body functions and structure, activities and participation).
The findings of the study proposed that the pattern of time use in all three levels of function based on International Classification of Functioning (including body functions and structures, activities and participation) have significant relationship with obesity and body mass index (BMI), behavior problems, executive functions, depression, developmental delay, developmentally appropriate activities, problematic and risky behaviors, academic achievement, and sleep. There is a need for more research to address the question of the present study.