Summary
Objective:
To test television exposure’s contribution to overweight (BMI> 95th percentile /age)
status in 11.3% of 2001 YRBS respondents, when controlling for moderate/vigorous activity,
and eating habits.
Methods:
Controlling for age, ethnicity, smoking, moderate/vigorous activity, and diet habits,
gender-specific SUDAAN models estimate likelihood (O.R.) for overweight in teens watching
2+ hours of TV/day.
Results:
TV exposure independently increases odds of overweight by 50% for both genders (boys: OR 1.5 [1.2-1.8]; girls:
OR 1.6 [1.2-2.0]), when other covariates are controlled. Low vigorous activity rate
(1.39 [1.1-1.86]) and smoking independently promote obesity in girls, while boys with
fewer fruit/ vegetable servings are less likely to be overweight (.76 [.60-.96]).
Conclusion:
Current school-based interventions promote environmental and curricular changes for
healthier diets and increased activity rates. TV exposure, however, is rarely targeted
as a separate risk factor, and requires attention at the individual, family, and community
levels.
Keywords
Adolescents - obesity - physical activity - television - diet
