Television time among Brazilian adolescents: correlated factors are different between boys and girls.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of excess television time and verify correlated factors in adolescent males and females.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 2,105 adolescents aged from 13 to 18 years from the city of Aracaju, Northeastern Brazil. Television time was self-reported, corresponding to the time spent watching television in a typical week. Several correlates were examined including age, skin color, socioeconomic status, parent education, physical activity level, consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking status, alcohol use, and sports team participation.


RESULTS
The prevalence excess television time (≥ 2 hours/day) in girls and boys was 70.9% and 66.2%, respectively. Girls with low socioeconomic status or inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables were more likely to have excess television time. Among boys, those >16 years of age or with black skin color were more likely to have excess television time.


CONCLUSIONS
Excess television time was observed in more than two-thirds of adolescents, being more evident in girls. Correlated factors differed according to sex. Efforts to reduce television time among Brazilian adolescents, and replace with more active pursuits, may yield desirable public health benefits.
Federal University of Santa Catarina, Post-Graduate Program of Physical Education, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil ; Campus Universitário Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, Centro de Desportos, Departamento de Educação Física, Bairro Trindade 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
Diego Augusto Santos
0000-0002-0489-7906
DA
Silva
Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, CHEO Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L1.
Mark Stephen
MS
Tremblay
Federal University of Santa Catarina, Post-Graduate Program of Physical Education, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
Eliane Cristina de Andrade
EC
Gonçalves
Federal University of Sergipe, Physical Education Department, Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
Roberto Jerônimo dos Santos
RJ
Silva
D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013690:Television