Descriptive epidemiology of high TV-viewing time in Brazilian adults

Abstract


 
 
 High volumes of daily television viewing time increase risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems. We report the descriptive epidemiology of high (3+ hrs/day) and very high (5+ hrs/ day) television (TV) viewing time and their correlates among Brazilian adults. Data from 60,202 participants (18 more years of age) in the National Health Survey carried in 2013 were analysed. The proportions of adults spending more than 3 hours per day and more than 5 hours/day watching TV were calculated. Descriptive and adjusted analyses examined variations in the prevalence of high and very high (of TV viewing time by age, educational attainment and physical activity level, separately for men and women. Prevalence in a normal day of high TV viewing time was 28.9% and was 8.9% for very high TV time. Overall, women and those who were less educated reported more TV time than did men and the more educated. There was a slightly inverse association between physical activity practice and TV time for men but there was not a clear association between physical activity and time spent watching TV among women. Prevalence of very high TV time was 46% lower among high-educated women than their counterparts. The prevalence of high and very high TV time suggests the need to implement actions to address high levels of TV time as a prevalent leisure- time sedentary behaviour and to promote attractive active recreational options at the population level in Brazil.