title: Television viewing and externalizing problems in preschool children: the Generation R Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the amount, type, and patterns of television viewing predict the onset or the persistence of externalizing problems in preschool children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal study of a prospective population-based cohort in the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parents reported time of television exposure and type of programs watched by children. Externalizing problems were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist at 18 and 36 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based sample of 3913 children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Television viewing time, content, and patterns of exposure (at 24 and 36 months) in children with and without preexisting problems to assess the incidence and persistence of externalizing problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Externalizing problems at 36 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Program content and time of television exposure assessed at 24 months did not predict the incidence of externalizing problems at 36 months (odds ratio, 2.24; 95% CI, 0.97-5.18). However, the patterns of exposure over time reflecting high levels of television viewing were associated with the incidence of externalizing problems (odds ratio, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.07-3.75) and the persistence of the preexisting externalizing problems (2.59; 1.03-6.55).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed that high television exposure increases the risk of the incidence and the persistence of externalizing problems in preschool children.
authors.affiliation: The Generation R Study Group, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verlinden
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tiemeier
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hudziak
authors.forename: Vincent W V
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Jaddoe
authors.forename: Hein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Raat
authors.forename: Mònica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guxens
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.forename: Frank C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Verhulst
authors.forename: Pauline W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Jansen
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television / Q000706:statistics & numerical data