Mediators of longitudinal associations between television viewing and eating behaviours in adolescents

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Research

David Crawford¹  Kylie Ball¹  Natalie Pearson² 

[1] Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, 3125, Victoria, Australia;Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, 3125, Victoria, Australia;School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, LE11 3TU, Loughborough, UK;

关键词: Eating Behaviour;    Sedentary Behaviour;    Food Frequency Questionnaire;    Television Viewing;    Fruit Consumption;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1479-5868-8-23

 received in 2010-07-14, accepted in 2011-03-30,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundTelevision viewing has been associated with poor eating behaviours in adolescents. Changing unhealthy eating behaviours is most likely to be achieved by identifying and targeting factors shown to mediate the association between these behaviours. However, little is known about the mediators of the associations between television viewing and eating behaviours. The aim of this study was to examine mediators of the longitudinal associations between television viewing (TV) and eating behaviours among Australian adolescents.MethodEating behaviours were assessed using a web-based survey completed by a community-based sample of 1729 adolescents from years 7 and 9 of secondary schools in Victoria, Australia, at baseline (2004-2005) and two years later. TV viewing and the potential mediators (snacking while watching TV and perceived value of TV viewing) were assessed via the web-based survey at baseline.ResultsAdolescents who watched more than two hours of TV/day had higher intakes of energy-dense snacks and beverages, and lower intakes of fruit two years later. Furthermore, the associations between TV viewing and consumption of energy-dense snacks, energy-dense drinks and fruit were mediated by snacking while watching TV. Perceived value of TV viewing mediated the association between TV viewing and consumption of energy-dense snacks, beverages and fruit.ConclusionSnacking while watching TV and perceived value of TV viewing mediated the longitudinal association between TV viewing and eating behaviours among adolescents. The efficacy of methods to reduce TV viewing, change snacking habits while watching TV, and address the values that adolescents place on TV viewing should be examined in an effort to promote healthy eating among adolescents.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Pearson et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011