1095 Adverse Effects of Excessive Television Viewing in Children

Abstract

Aim: 1. To study the relationship between TV viewing and dietary and physical activity habits and 2. To correlate daily TV time with BMI and blood pressure. Methods: 540 children (53% boys) aged 2-14 years (mean age 8.4 years) were included in this prospective study. Demographic data, anthropometric indexes, alimentary and physical activity patterns were recorded and blood pressure was measured. TV time was determined as hours per day dedicated to watching television.Results: 46% of the sample spent >2h/day watching television, noticeably boys more than girls (51.4% vs. 40%, p=0.009). Daily TV time increased with age, with preschool-aged children reaching a mean time of 2.4h/day, elementary school-aged children 2.8h/day and adolescents 3.3h/day, respectively (p< 0.001). The existence of a TV set in the child's bedroom increased the likelihood of excessive viewing by 2.63 times (p< 0.001). Furthermore, children who spent more hours per day watching TV consumed larger quantities of high-calorie snacks (p< 0.001), soft beverages (p< 0.001), ready-made juices (p< 0.001) and fast food meals (p=0.003). Prolonged daily TV time was strongly correlated with increased BMI (p< 0.001) and more importantly with the presence of both prehypertension and hypertension (p=0.006). In contrast, low intensity exercise, such as walking short distances everyday, was associated with decreased TV watching (p< 0.001).Conclusion: Extended TV viewing predisposes children to adopting unhealthy lifestyles. Implementing the AAP's guidelines which state that all children >2 years of age should limit screen time to < 2h/day might reduce its negative impacts on their health.