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Does eating during television viewing affect preschool children's intake?
Lori A Francis1, Leann L Birch
1Department of Biobehavioral Health, 315 East Health and Human Development Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. LAF169@psu.edu
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
|March 29, 2006
Summary
Television viewing significantly impacts children's eating habits. While it generally reduces intake, children accustomed to eating while watching TV may consume more, highlighting the role of prior experience.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Media Effects on Children
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Excessive screen time is a growing concern for child development.
- Understanding media's influence on eating behaviors is crucial for public health.
- Previous research suggests a link between television viewing and altered food consumption in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immediate effects of television (TV) viewing on children's lunch and snack intake.
- To compare food consumption in children exposed to TV versus those in a TV-free environment.
- To explore how pre-existing TV viewing habits moderate the impact of concurrent TV exposure on eating.
Main Methods:
- A controlled study involving 24 children and their parents.
- Two conditions were compared: watching a 22-minute cartoon (TV group) and no TV viewing (no TV group).
- Parental reports on children's home TV viewing habits and mealtime routines were collected.
Main Results:
- Children consumed significantly less snack and lunch when watching TV compared to the no TV condition.
- Children with higher reported daily TV hours and more frequent TV-associated meals ate more lunch during TV viewing.
- Individual differences in home TV habits influenced in-study consumption patterns.
Conclusions:
- Television viewing can have a dual effect on children's food intake, potentially decreasing or increasing consumption.
- The impact of TV viewing on eating is contingent upon children's established habits and experiences with eating while watching TV.
- Interventions aimed at modifying children's eating behaviors should consider the role of media consumption and established routines.