Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

28.0K

Television watching and risk of childhood obesity: a meta-analysis

Gang Zhang1, Lei Wu2, Lingling Zhou3

  • 1Department of Newborn Infants, Nanjing Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

European Journal of Public Health
|November 26, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Increased television (TV) watching is linked to a higher risk of childhood obesity. Limiting children's TV time may be a key public health strategy for obesity prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a global epidemic.
  • Identifying modifiable risk factors is crucial for prevention.
  • Previous studies on TV watching and childhood obesity have shown inconsistent results.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the association between television (TV) watching and childhood obesity.
  • To conduct a meta-analysis of existing studies.

Main Methods:

  • Searched PubMed and Embase databases for relevant studies.
  • Included 14 cross-sectional studies with 106,169 participants.
  • Utilized random-effects models and dose-response meta-analyses.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was found between higher TV watching time and increased childhood obesity risk (OR 1.47).
  • A linear dose-response relationship was observed, with a 13% increased risk for every additional hour of TV watching daily.
  • The association was consistent across subgroups and observed in both boys and girls.

Conclusions:

  • Increased television viewing is associated with a higher risk of childhood obesity.
  • Restricting children's TV time and sedentary behaviors is a vital public health strategy for obesity prevention.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil06:48

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Published on: July 29, 2020

5.2K
Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents09:10

Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents

Published on: November 1, 2019

11.8K

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.5K
Cause and Effect01:53

Cause and Effect

While variables are sometimes correlated because one does cause the other, it could also be that some other factor, a confounding variable, is actually causing the systematic movement in our variables of interest. For instance, as sales in ice cream increase, so does the overall rate of crime. Is it possible that indulging in your favorite flavor of ice cream could send you on a crime spree? Or, after committing crime do you think you might decide to treat yourself to a cone?
12.7K
Binge Eating Disorders01:23

Binge Eating Disorders

Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
746
Bias in Epidemiological Studies01:29

Bias in Epidemiological Studies

Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:  
1.6K
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
8.7K
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV01:26

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
322