Every extra hour of TV watching is associated with an extra 2.2 lbs of fat in Preschool children

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Thursday, April 02, 2009 2:59 pm Email this article
Every extra hour of TV watching is associated with an extra 2.2 lbs of body fat in Preschool children according to a new study from researchers at University of Aberdeen in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Although TV viewing was associated with less physical activity, the increase in fatness seemed to be due to an increase in food intake.

They noted that several studies have found that “a considerable proportion of a child’s daily energy intake is consumed while watching TV, especially on weekends, and children who watch more TV eat less fruit and vegetables and consume more energy-dense snacks.”

REFERENCE

Jackson D, Djafarian K, Stewart J, Speakman J. Increased television viewing is associated with elevated body fatness but not with lower total energy expenditure in children. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Apr, 89(4):1031-36.

AUTHOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Diane M. Jackson
Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health
Aberdeen University
Greenburn Road
Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9SB, Scotland
United Kingdom.
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