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Couch potatoes or french fries: are sedentary behaviors associated with body mass index, physical activity, and dietary behaviors among adolescents?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Utter, J; Neumark-Sztainer, D; Jeffery, R; Story, M
Published in: J Am Diet Assoc
October 2003

OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic characteristics of adolescent boys and girls who engage in three sedentary behaviors (television/video use, computer use, and reading/homework), and to explore how each sedentary activity is associated with body mass index (BMI), dietary behaviors, and leisure time physical activity. DESIGN: This study draws on data collected from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), a school-based survey examining personal, behavioral, and socioenvironmental factors that are associated with nutritional intake among adolescents. SUBJECTS: The study sample consists of 4746 middle and high school students from 31 public schools in a metropolitan area of the upper Midwest. All students were invited to participate. The overall response rate for Project EAT was 81.5%. Data collection was completed during the 1998-1999 school year. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Multivariate linear regression was used for examining associations between independent and dependent variables, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. All differences were considered statistically significant at P<.05. RESULTS: Among boys, television/video use and time spent reading/doing homework were positively associated with BMI (P<.05), whereas for girls television/video and computer use were positively associated with BMI (P<.05). High television/video use among boys and girls was associated with more unhealthful dietary behaviors (eg, increased consumption of soft drinks, fried foods, and snacks) (P<.05). In contrast, time spent reading/doing homework was associated with more healthful dietary behaviors (eg, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables) (P<.05). Leisure time physical activity was not associated with television/video use among boys or girls, but was positively associated with computer use and time spent reading/doing homework (P<.05). Applications/Conclusions Messages and advice aimed at reducing time spent in sedentary activities should be targeted at television/video use instead of time spent reading, doing homework, or using a computer. Nutrition education should incorporate messages about the influence of the media and advertising on dietary behaviors.

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Published In

J Am Diet Assoc

DOI

ISSN

0002-8223

Publication Date

October 2003

Volume

103

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1298 / 1305

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Sex Factors
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Male
  • Linear Models
  • Leisure Activities
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Female
  • Feeding Behavior
 

Citation

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Utter, J., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Jeffery, R., & Story, M. (2003). Couch potatoes or french fries: are sedentary behaviors associated with body mass index, physical activity, and dietary behaviors among adolescents? J Am Diet Assoc, 103(10), 1298–1305. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0002-8223(03)01079-4
Utter, Jennifer, Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Robert Jeffery, and Mary Story. “Couch potatoes or french fries: are sedentary behaviors associated with body mass index, physical activity, and dietary behaviors among adolescents?J Am Diet Assoc 103, no. 10 (October 2003): 1298–1305. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0002-8223(03)01079-4.
Utter, Jennifer, et al. “Couch potatoes or french fries: are sedentary behaviors associated with body mass index, physical activity, and dietary behaviors among adolescents?J Am Diet Assoc, vol. 103, no. 10, Oct. 2003, pp. 1298–305. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0002-8223(03)01079-4.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Am Diet Assoc

DOI

ISSN

0002-8223

Publication Date

October 2003

Volume

103

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1298 / 1305

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Sex Factors
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Male
  • Linear Models
  • Leisure Activities
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Female
  • Feeding Behavior