Television-viewing time and dietary quality among U.S. children and adults.
BACKGROUND
Greater TV-viewing time is generally associated with unhealthy dietary behaviors; however, few studies have examined associations between TV-viewing time and composite measures of dietary quality. Most studies have focused on energy intake or intake of specific foods. But overall dietary quality is important to health and weight status.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between TV-viewing time and dietary quality using a nationally representative U.S. sample.


METHODS
Participants in the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were included (analyses conducted in Fall 2011). Dietary quality was determined by Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2005 calculated from two 24-hour recalls. TV-viewing time was categorized as lower (≤1 hour/day); moderate (2-3 hours/day); and higher (≥4 hours/day; referent). Multivariate linear regression models were used to estimate the TV-viewing time and HEI-2005, adjusted for BMI (percentile for children aged 2-18 years); age; ethnicity; physical activity; and total energy intake. Analyses were conducted separately for gender-age groups (preschool=aged 2-5 years [n=1423]; school-aged=6-11 years [n=1749], adolescent=aged 12-18 years [n=3343], and adult=aged ≥19 years [n=8222]).


RESULTS
Lower TV-viewing time was associated with higher HEI-2005 (i.e., healthier diet) for all gender and age groups. Compared with higher TV-viewing time, in each case, HEI-2005 was higher in groups with low TV-viewing time, ranging from 47.0-52.3 in ≤1 hour/day to 44.7-48.9 in ≥4 hours/day (all p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Less time spent watching TV was associated with better dietary quality in U.S. children and adults.
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, 73117-1215, USA. susan-sisson@ouhsc.edu
Susan B
SB
Sisson
Christina M
CM
Shay
Stephanie T
ST
Broyles
Misti
M
Leyva
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012737:Sex Factors; D013690:Television / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult