Energy expenditure, television viewing and obesity.
OBJECTIVE
To measure energy expenditure (EE) of television viewing, sitting, and resting and duration of self-selected television viewing in obese and non-obese men and women.


METHODS
Cross-over randomized study consisting of two separate 24-h stays in a whole-room indirect calorimeter.


METHODS
123 obese and non-obese healthy men and women (age: 38 +/- 9, BMI: 29.4 +/- 7.9)


METHODS
Rates of energy expenditure during resting (RMR), sitting (EEsit) and television viewing (EEtv) using indirect calorimetry technique on two separate 24-h stays in a whole-room indirect calorimeter. Physical activities and work of body movements during these periods using a large force platform system located inside the calorimeter.


RESULTS
Rates of EE for television viewing, adjusted for differences in body composition were 18% higher than resting metabolic rate (RMR), but similar to rates of other sedentary activities. There were no significant differences between obese and non-obese subjects in metabolic rates during resting, television viewing, and other sedentary activities. Average time of self-selected television viewing was significantly greater in obese than in non-obese subjects and also in women than in men.


CONCLUSIONS
EE rate for television viewing in adults is higher than RMR and similar to other sedentary activities. Obese adults choose television viewing as a form of leisure activity more often than non-obese individuals and as a result they could significantly reduce other forms of physical activities and total daily EE.
Buchowski
M S
MS
Clinical Nutrition Research Unit, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Sun
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013690:Television; D013997:Time Factors