| Author: | Chiu, Wai-man Joey |
| Title: | Is increased television viewing related to obesity among primary school children in Hong Kong? : a cross-sectional study |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2006 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations Obesity in children -- China -- Hong Kong Television and children -- China -- Hong Kong |
| Department: | School of Nursing |
| Pages: | v, 74 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Childhood obesity has becoming a serious health problem in Hong Kong (HK), especially among the primary school children. This study explored the relationship between television (TV) viewing and obesity among primary school children in HK by the cross sectional approach. A total of 409, 6- to 13 year olds (221 girls, 188 boys) children recruited from two local primary schools. Obesity status determined by applying the age- and sex-specific 90th percentile of local reference for body mass index (BMI). Parents of the subjects were required to complete a questionnaire to collect data on demographic background, TV viewing habit, dietary habit and physical activity level of the subjects. Weight and height of the subjects were also measured. By calculating the independent t-test, there was significant difference between obese and non-obese group in TV viewing hour in weekday (3.2 +- 1.9 vs 2.5 +-1.2 hours/day, p = .000) and weekend (4.2 +- 2.4 vs 2.9 +- 1.4 hours/day, p = .000). By calculating the Pearson product-moment correlations, significant correlation between children's BMI and TV viewing hours in weekday (r = .27, p= .000) and weekend (r = .26, p= .000) was found. This correlation was still significant even other variables in parental BMI, dietary habit and physical activity were controlled in the multiple regression. Numbers of day participating in physical activity that was long enough to work up a sweat also significantly correlated with TV viewing hours in weekday negatively (r = -.14, p= .005). Besides, children's BMI was strongly correlated with maternal BMI (r = .21, p = .000) and paternal BMI (r = .13, p = .017). This study provides evidence supporting the positive correlation between TV viewing and childhood obesity. Limiting the time of watching TV should be included in the strategy for treating and preventing childhood obesity. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| b19267605.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 3.74 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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