Television Viewing and Dietary Intake in Adolescents
Author Information
Author(s): Daheia J. Barr-Anderson, Nicole I. Larson, Melissa C. Nelson, Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Mary Story
Primary Institution: University of Minnesota
Hypothesis
Adolescents who watched more television when they were younger would report poorer eating behaviors five years later.
Conclusion
Television viewing in middle and high school predicted poorer dietary intake five years later.
Supporting Evidence
- Heavy television viewers reported lower fruit intake and higher sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.
- Watching five or more hours of television predicted lower intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Television viewing during adolescence may contribute to poor eating habits in young adulthood.
Takeaway
Watching a lot of TV can lead to eating unhealthy foods later on. If kids watch too much TV, they might not eat enough fruits and vegetables when they grow up.
Methodology
Survey data from middle and high school students were analyzed over a five-year period, examining television viewing and dietary intake.
Potential Biases
Potential overestimation of television use as the measure included video use.
Limitations
Specific mechanisms through which television viewing influences dietary behavior cannot be examined with these data.
Participant Demographics
Participants were ethnically and socioeconomically diverse, including middle and high school students.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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