Altering TV viewing habits: an unexplored strategy for adult obesity intervention?
OBJECTIVE
To review literature evaluating whether television (TV) viewing reduction is a promising behavioral target for obesity treatment programs for adults.


METHODS
Studies examining associations between TV viewing and obesity in adults were reviewed, as well as relevant pediatric literature. Interventions to reduce TV viewing among children were examined to inform adult interventions.


RESULTS
Adult TV viewing has been consistently associated with greater obesity risk in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Strategies to alter TV viewing have been demonstrated effective among children but have not been tested in adults.


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation of the efficacy of targeting TV viewing among adults on weight outcomes is warranted.
Foster
Jill A
JA
College of Public Health, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
Gore
Stacy A
SA
West
Delia Smith
DS
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013690:Television / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015431:Weight Loss