Association between the family environment and television viewing in Australian children

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Author:

van Zutphen, Moniek; Bell, Andrew C.; Kremer, Peter J.; Swinburn, Boyd A.

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Year:

2007

Article Title:

Association between the family environment and television viewing in Australian children

Journal:

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health

Volume:

Edition:

Issue:

Pages:

458-463

ISBN/ISSN:

1034-4810

Source of Funding:

Victorian Department of Human Services; Dr. Bell was supported by a VicHealth scholarship

Study Design:

Correlational Study

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Age Group:

Childhood (birth-12 yrs), School Age (6-12 yrs)

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Abstract:

Objective: To describe and assess the time children spend watching TV, family environment, and body weight.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of computer-assisted telephone interviews.

Subjects and Setting: Random stratified sample of parents of children in the Barwon South western region of Victoria, Australia in kindergartens (n = 4) and primary schools (n = 12) across the area. Baseline data were collected in 2003�2004 and intervention and comparison data were combined for analysis. Of the 2, 184 children that participated in the survey 28% were overweight or obese.

Intervention(s): Baseline data collected as part of the �Be Active Eat Well project" aimed to promote healthy eating, physical activity and healthy weight among children 4�12 years old.

Outcome Measure(s): Weight based on measured height and weight. Amount of time children watched TV/video both for �the previous school day� and �usually� and aspects of the family environment influencing TV access.

Results: The average viewing time was approximately 83 minutes. 41% of children had no rules limiting TV time including having the TV on during dinner every day of the week. Those families with strict rules governing TV viewing time (22%), or those with no TV in their bedroom (81%) watched significantly less TV than others. Overweight and obese children watched 7 minutes more TV than healthy weight children (38% watched 90 min or more), and were more likely (25%) to have a TV in their bedroom than healthy weight children (17%). Family TV rules, TV on during dinner, and the number of TVs in the house were not significantly associated with weight status.

Conclusions: The authors suggest that strategies aimed at the prevention of childhood obesity should focus on reducing TV time by including messages to parents about not having a TV in children�s bedrooms, encouraging family rules restricting TV viewing, and not having the TV on during dinner. � Center on Media and Child Health

Keywords:

Body Composition
Children
Families and Family Life
Media Diet
Obesity
Parents and Parenting
Pediatrics
Social Factors
Television
Weight