Frederick J. Zimmerman|Janice F. Bell
Associations of Television Content Type and Obesity in Children
University of Washington|University of Washington
tested associations content types childrens television viewing subsequent body mass index bmi assess plausibility different causal pathwayswe used timeuse diary data panel survey income dynamics measure television viewing categorized format educational commercial content analyses stratified age children younger 7 years less able understand persuasive intent advertising bmi z scores 2002 regressed television viewing sociodemographic variables mothers bmi bmi 1997 older children onlyamong children aged 0 6 years 1997 commercial viewing 1997 significantly associated bmi z scores 2002 fully adjusted regressions among children older 6 years commercial viewing 2002 associated 2002 bmi results robust adjustment exercise eating watching televisionthe evidence support contention television viewing contributes obesity sedentary activity television advertising rather viewing per se associated obesity