Effect of television viewing on pediatric obesity.
- Author:
Guan-Sheng MA
1
;
Yan-Ping LI
;
Xiao-Qi HU
;
Wen-Jun MA
;
Jin WU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adolescent; Child; Child Welfare; Child, Preschool; China; Epidemiologic Studies; Exercise; Female; Humans; Life Style; Male; Obesity; epidemiology; etiology; Risk Factors; Television; Urban Population
- From: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2002;15(4):291-297
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo test the effect of television viewing on pediatric obesity in urban China.
METHODSStratified multistage cluster random sampling method was used for subjects selection. Nine thousand three hundred and fifty-six children, as well as their parents, were investigated. Questionnaire survey was used for data collection. Children's weights and heights were measured in the clinic of the investigated kindergartens or schools by trained investigators following the standardized procedure.
RESULTSThe percentages of children and adolescents who watched television less than 1 h, 1-2 h, 2-3 h and more than 3 h daily were 32.5%, 46.0%, 15.4% and 6.1%, respectively, while the prevalence of obesity was 10.9%, 11.8%, 13.2% and 15.1%, respectively. Each hourly increment of television viewing was associated with 1%-2% increase in the prevalence of obesity.
CONCLUSIONSTime spent watching television is directly related to an increase risk of obesity, television viewing time is an independent factor for pediatric obesity.
