Television viewing (TVV) has been associated with increased weight status in children via children's activity. We examined whether TVV also influenced children's weight status via food intake. Participants were 185 non-Hispanic White girls and their parents, assessed longitudinally when girls were 5 and 7 years old. Measures of snacking, and food intake were assessed using three 24-hour dietary recalls, and child weight status was assessed using body mass index (BMI). Parents reported girls' non-school, and school-day television viewing. The following model was tested to assess relationships among TVV -> snacking frequency -> energy-dense snack food and soda intake -> intake of fats/sweets and caloric intake -> increase in BMI from age 5 to age 7. We gained support for the hypothesized model, whereas girls who watched more television snacked more frequently, and had higher intakes of energy-dense snack foods and soda. Girls who had higher intakes had higher intakes from the fats and sweets food group, which predicted girls' increase in BMI from age 5 to age 7. TVV also directly predicted girls' increase in BMI. These findings support and extend previous findings of excessive TVV as a risk factor for the development of overweight in children, and provide insight on food intake as a possible mediating factor in the relationship between TVV and children's weight status. Supported by NIH HD32973 and NIH HD32973-03S1.
Learning Objectives: 1. Develop an understanding of the role of food intake in combination with inactivity as a possible influence on the development of childhood overweight. 2. Identify intermediary behaviors that influence the development of overweight in children. 3. Apply theoretical and statistical techniques in order to develop an understanding of environmental influences on childhood overweight.
Keywords: Children, Obesity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.