Abstract

MARTINEZ-MOYA, María et al. Association between hours of television watched, physical activity, sleep and excess weight among young adults. Gac Sanit [online]. 2014, vol.28, n.3, pp.203-208. ISSN 0213-9111.  https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2013.12.003.

Objective: To explore the association between excess weight or body mass index (BMI) and the time spent watching television, self-reported physical activity and sleep duration in a young adult population. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional baseline data of 1,135 participants (17-35 years old) from the project Dieta, salud y antropometría en población universitaria (Diet, Health and Anthrompmetric Variables in Univeristy Students). Information about time spent watching television, sleep duration, self-reported physical activity and self-reported height and weight was provided by a baseline questionnaire. BMI was calculated as kg/m² and excess of weight was defined as ≥25. We used multiple logistic regression to explore the association between excess weight (no/yes) and independent variables, and multiple linear regression for BMI. Results: The prevalence of excess weight was 13.7% (11.2% were overweight and 2.5% were obese). A significant positive association was found between excess weight and a greater amount of time spent watching television. Participants who reported watching television >2 h a day had a higher risk of excess weight than those who watched television ≤1 h a day (OR = 2.13; 95%CI: 1.37-3.36; p-trend: 0.002). A lower level of physical activity was associated with an increased risk of excess weight, although the association was statistically significant only in multiple linear regression (p = 0.037). No association was observed with sleep duration. Conclusion: A greater number of hours spent watching television and lower physical activity were significantly associated with a higher BMI in young adults. Both factors are potentially modifiable with preventive strategies.

Keywords : Obesity; Overweight; Television; Exercise; Sleep; Young adult.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )