The Impact of Television on Physical Activity, Diet, and Weight
Author Information
Author(s): Meyer Anne-Marie, Evenson Kelly R, Couper David J, Stevens June, Pereria Mark A, Heiss Gerardo
Primary Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hypothesis
Time spent watching TV is associated with negative effects on physical activity, diet, and body weight.
Conclusion
Higher television exposure is linked to less physical activity, poorer dietary choices, and increased body weight.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants with high TV exposure were more likely to be insufficiently active.
- High TV exposure was associated with poorer dietary choices.
- Those with high TV exposure had greater odds of being overweight or obese.
Takeaway
Watching a lot of TV can make you less active and lead to eating unhealthy foods, which can make you gain weight.
Methodology
Data from the ARIC Study was analyzed using questionnaires and regression models to assess TV exposure and its effects on physical activity, diet, and BMI.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to loss of participants who had higher TV exposure and poorer health outcomes.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported data for TV exposure and dietary intake, which may lead to misclassification.
Participant Demographics
Participants were predominantly white (73%) and mostly reported at least a high school education (76%).
Statistical Information
P-Value
1.40, 95% CI 1.26, 1.55
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.26, 1.55
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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