Television Viewing and Obesity in Children in Khartoum State

Background Increased TV viewing time among children is associated with a raised likelihood of overweight. This results from a combination of unhealthy dietary habits,. sedentary behaviour and exposure to TV advertising. It also appears that excessive TV viewing among adolescents may lead to poor dietary patterns in later years. Reducing television time can lead to decreases in BMI (Hancox, etal, 2004) (Viner, et. al 2004) (De Craemer, 2012). The main purpose of the present study to identify the relationship between television viewing and childhood obesity in public basic schools in Khartoum state. Sample of 120 pupils (males) aged between (9-14) years where selected from three primary schools to participate in the present study. Data collected using anthropometric measurements (weight and height) and also through structured questionnaire filled with children, data were analysed using SPSS and results were tabulated and discussed accordingly. To determine the prevalence of obesity related to TV viewing among children at three schools in Khartoum state, their BMI were calculated and plotted using the international curves of BMI for age and sex. The study revealed, 34 %of children were found to be at risk for overweight (85th 95th), and 7 % were found to be overweight or obese (greater than95th). The results showed that, BMI percentilegreater than95th was positively correlated with children number of hours spend /day in watching TV (1--2hours, 3-4hours, Morethan4hours), ( R=.622**P=.000) (R=.531**=P.000) and (R=.711**P=.000) respectively. It was also observed that BMI percentile (85th 95th) was positively correlated with the number of hours spend /day for watching T. V, (1--2hours, 3-4hours, More than4hours), (R=.456**, P=.000, R=.478, P=.000, R=.631**, P=.000), respectively. linear regressionexamine the more predictable factors. Period of Watching TV (3-4 hours), eating fast food and frying potatoes were still maintaining the predictability of obesity along with eating chocolates and biscuits. The study concluded there werepositive association between obesity and longer periods of television viewing among school children. It was recommended that School education programs should be directed to educate children and their families to reduce time that spend in front of the television and council them about healthy and nutritious foods.