The Impact of Television Viewing Time on Body Image and Weight Loss in 5th-Graders from the Healthy Passages
Abstract
Objective: To determine if an increase in time watching television results in 1) an increase in body image dissatisfaction and 2) an increase in weight loss attempts in 5th-grade students. Methods: Data was collected from students (n = 5,146) in the 5 th-grade from Houston, Texas, Los Angeles, California, and Birmingham, Alabama on a variety of different measures related to adolescent health and behavior. The measures of interest were the amount of duration of television viewing, body image status, and weight loss attempts. Linear regression was used to examine the relationship of television viewing and body image satisfaction. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship of television viewing and weight loss attempts. Results: The current study found almost all (99.4%) participants indicated they had ever watched TV. The total number of students dissatisfied with their body image was 49.5%, with 47.9% of girls and 51.3% of boys dissatisfied with their body image. About 51.4% of participants are currently trying to lose weight or have attempted weight loss before, with 50.9% of females and 49.1% of males with weight loss attempts. Confounders were adjusted for but were not found to be significant. A p<0.001 for both genders show an increase in the duration of television viewing did have an increase in body image satisfaction, but to a small effect (β coefficient for girls and boys is 0.072 and 0.046, respectively). There was no evidence of a relationship on children who watched more television and if they were more likely to attempt weight loss (OR = 1.049). Discussion: As television viewing is a primary sedentary activity for children, body image concerns appearing at a young age become a concern. When body image discrepancy exists, an individual may turn to weight loss attempts in an effort to attain his or her ideal body image. The study shows an increase of television viewing duration did result in an increase in body image dissatisfaction but no relationship was found between television viewing duration and weight loss attempts. Understanding the effects of television viewing time on body image status and weight loss attempts can help in planning interventions targeted against physical and psychological conditions.
Subject Area
Nutrition
Recommended Citation
Chen, Melinda I, "The Impact of Television Viewing Time on Body Image and Weight Loss in 5th-Graders from the Healthy Passages" (2018). Texas Medical Center Dissertations (via ProQuest). AAI10789874.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dissertations/AAI10789874