Abstract
BackgroundExcessive television (TV) viewing might play an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to examine the independent associations between TV viewing and CVD risk factors in adolescents.MethodsA sample of 425 adolescents, aged 13- to 18.5-year-old, was included in this study. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) A-1, apo B-100, and lipoprotein(a) levels were determined. A composite CVD risk score was computed based on age-, sex-, sexual maturation- and race-standardized triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and glucose. TV viewing was self-reported.ResultsTwo hundred and twenty-five adolescents (53%) who spent >3 hrs/day watching TV were considered as the "high TV viewing" group. Ninety-nine adolescents (23%) from the total sample were classified as overweight according to International age- and sex-specific BMI values. The high TV viewing group had significantly less favorable values of HDL-cholesterol, glucose, apo A1 and CVD score, independent of age, sex, sexual maturation, race and weight status. There was a significant interaction effect of TV viewing × weight status (P = 0.002) on WC, and the negative influence of TV viewing on WC persisted in the overweight group (P = 0.031) but was attenuated in non-overweight adolescents (P > 0.05).ConclusionExcessive TV viewing seems to be related to an unfavorable CVD risk factors profile in adolescence. Reducing TV viewing in overweight adolescents might be beneficial to decrease abdominal body fat.
Highlights
Excessive television (TV) viewing might play an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Adolescent boys were taller and heavier than girls but there was no significant difference in Body mass index (BMI) levels
We analyzed whether the influence of TV viewing on CVD risk factors differ by weight status including a TV viewing × weight status interaction term into the model. These analyses showed that differences between TV viewing groups for CVD risk factors remained significant, but there was a significant interaction effect of TV viewing × weight status on waist circumference (WC) (p = 0.002)
Summary
Excessive television (TV) viewing might play an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to examine the independent associations between TV viewing and CVD risk factors in adolescents. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and metabolic risk factors are very important concerns in public health policies [2]. There is a social trend to mistakenly consider physical activity and sedentary behaviors as opposite poles from the same continuous (e.g. if a child does not achieve enough physical activity, he or she may be categorized as sedentary or couch potato), but studies in adolescents have shown that time spent in sedentary behaviors must be considered independently of physical activity [9], and both sedentary behavior and physical activity may have a different effect in the prevention and development of CVD
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
