Association of TV Viewing and Computer Using Habits with Obesity and Obesity Related Lifestyles

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: TV viewing and computer use are sedentary behaviors and recent surveys report that they are associated with obesity in children. Association of these activities with obesity or obesity related lifestyles was investigated in this study. METHODS: Using the database of questionnaires and physical check-ups among 4th to 6th grade elementary school students in Incheon, the association of television viewing and internet using time with obesity and obesity related factors (dietary habits, and physical activities) were investigated. A total of 2,750 students (1,100 normal weighted/1,650 overweight or obese) were included. RESULTS: In the multiple analyses of computer using time among the boys and girls in weekdays and weekends respectively, according to their obesity degree, except for overweight and obese boys in weekends (P<0.001), there were no significant differences examined. Multiple logistic regression revealed that children who watched TV more than 2 hours per day ate faster (OR 1.27), had breakfast more irregularly (OR 1.41) and ate vegetables more rarely (OR 1.53). The children who used computer more than 1 hour per day in weekdays were faster eaters (OR 1.38) and hardly ate fruits (OR 1.26) or vegetables (OR 1.60). In weekends, the children who spent time more than 90 minutes in the computer were faster to eat (OR 1.46), more snack eating (OR 1.22), less vegetable consuming (OR 1.59) and more obese (OR 1.46, 95%CI 1.24~1.73) compared to the others. CONCLUSION: TV viewing and computer use were associated with several obesity related lifestyles in children.