Abstract
The association of childhood obesity with TV viewing has not been previously examined. Cycle II and Cycle III of the National Health Examination Survey provided representative samples of non-institutionalized U.S. populations aged 6-11 and 12-17 years old respectively. 2153 of the 7119 children studied during Cycle II were restudied in Cycle III (n=6671). Hours of TV viewing were obtained by parental report in Cycle II and self-report in Cycle III. Obesity was defined as a triceps skinfold > the 85th percentile. In both cross sectional samples, increased TV viewing was significantly (p < .01, p <.001) associated with an increased prevalence of obesity, whereas no significant effect existed for other leisure activities. The slope of the regression of obesity prevalence on TV was positive and significant in both samples and indicated an increase in the probability of obesity of 0.6-2% for each additional daily hour of TV. TV in Cycle II was signifcantly related to the probability of obesity in Cycle III, even when prior obesity was controlled. In all three samples (2 cross-sectional, 1 prospective) the significant association of TV and obesity persisted when controlled for other characteristics significantly associated with obesity (season, region, population density, race, SES, parental age and family size). These data infer a causal association of TV viewing and obesity. Potential mechanisms include reduced physical acitivity and increased consumption of calorically dense foods. Conversely, both obesity and TV viewing could relate to other unmeasured family behaviors.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dietz, W., Gortmaker, S. CHILDHOOD OBESITY ASSOCIATED WITH TELEVISION VIEWING. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 182 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00532
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00532