↓ Skip to main content

Stability of television viewing and electronic game/computer use in a prospective cohort study of Australian children: relationship with body mass index

Overview of attention for article published in International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, November 2007
Altmetric Badge

Citations

dimensions_citation
54 Dimensions

Readers on

mendeley
92 Mendeley
You are seeing a free-to-access but limited selection of the activity Altmetric has collected about this research output. Click here to find out more.
Title
Stability of television viewing and electronic game/computer use in a prospective cohort study of Australian children: relationship with body mass index
Published in
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, November 2007
DOI 10.1186/1479-5868-4-60
Pubmed ID
Authors

Kylie Hesketh, Melissa Wake, Melissa Graham, Elizabeth Waters

Abstract

While much cross-sectional data is available, there have been few longitudinal investigations of patterns of electronic media use in children. Further, the possibility of a bi-directional relationship between electronic media use and body mass index in children has not been considered. This study aimed to describe longitudinal patterns of television viewing and electronic game/computer use, and investigate relationships with body mass index (BMI). This prospective cohort study was conducted in elementary schools in Victoria, Australia. 1278 children aged 5-10 years at baseline and 8-13 years at follow-up had their BMI calculated, from measured height and weight, and transformed to z-scores based on US 2000 growth data. Weight status (non-overweight, overweight and obese) was based on international BMI cut-off points. Weekly television viewing and electronic game/computer use were reported by parents, these were summed to generate total weekly screen time. Children were classified as meeting electronic media use guidelines if their total screen time was </=14 hrs/wk. Electronic media use increased over the course of the study; 40% met guidelines at baseline but only 18% three years later. Television viewing and electronic game/computer use tracked moderately and total screen time was positively associated with adiposity cross-sectionally. While weaker relationships with adiposity were observed longitudinally, baseline z-BMI and weight status were positively associated with follow-up screen time and baseline screen time was positively associated with z-BMI and weight status at follow-up. Children who did not meet guidelines at baseline had significantly higher z-BMI and were more likely to be classified as overweight/obese at follow-up. Electronic media use in Australian elementary school children is high, increases with age and tracks over time. There appears to be a bi-directional association suggesting that interventions targeting reductions in either screen time or adiposity may have a positive effect on both screen time and adiposity.

Mendeley readers

Mendeley readers

The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 92 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.

Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
Australia 2 2%
United States 2 2%
Brazil 2 2%
Germany 1 1%
Malaysia 1 1%
Portugal 1 1%
Spain 1 1%
United Kingdom 1 1%
Unknown 81 88%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Student > Ph. D. Student 14 15%
Student > Master 11 12%
Researcher 9 10%
Student > Doctoral Student 7 8%
Student > Bachelor 7 8%
Other 17 18%
Unknown 27 29%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Sports and Recreations 13 14%
Medicine and Dentistry 10 11%
Psychology 10 11%
Nursing and Health Professions 7 8%
Social Sciences 6 7%
Other 13 14%
Unknown 33 36%