Television Viewing in Early Childhood Predicts Adult Body Mass Index

Objectives

To examine the effects of duration, timing and type of television (TV) viewing at age 5 years on body mass index (BMI) in adult life.

Study design and methods

1970 British Birth Cohort, followed up at 5 (N=13,135), 10 (N=14,875), and 30 years (N=11,261).

Outcome measures

Weekday and weekend TV viewing at 5 years, type of programs, and maternal attitudes toward TV at age 5 years. BMI z-score at 10 and 30 years.

Results

Mean daily hours of TV viewed at weekends predicted higher BMI z-score at 30 years (coefficient=0.03, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.05, P=.01) when adjusted for TV viewing and activity level at 10 years, sex, socioeconomic status, parental BMIs, and birth weight. Each additional hour of TV watched on weekends at 5 years increased risk of adult obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) by 7% (OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.01, 1.13, P=.02). Weekday viewing, type of program and maternal attitudes to TV at 5 years were not independently associated with adult BMI z-score.

Conclusions

Weekend TV viewing in early childhood continues to influence BMI in adulthood. Interventions to influence obesity by reducing sedentary behaviors⁴⁰ must begin in early childhood. Interventions focusing on weekend TV viewing may be particularly effective.

BMI, Body mass index, TV, Television