PHILADELPHIA, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study adds to the evidence
that sedentary behaviors are linked to childhood obesity and sheds light on
the world-wide dimension of the problem. In a study published in the June
issue of the journal Obesity Research, researchers from The Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia and the University Hospital Zurich present a strong
association between playing electronic video games and childhood obesity in
school-aged Swiss children. The researchers also found that obesity was
associated with television watching, paternal smoking and mother's working
outside the home.
"The goal of this study was to identify environmental and behavioral
factors, in particular type and duration of sedentary activities, associated
with obesity in children living in Switzerland," said Nicolas Stettler, M.D.,
M.S.C.E., a pediatric nutrition specialist at The Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia and primary investigator of this study. "To our knowledge this
study provides the strongest evidence for an independent association between
time spent playing electronic games and childhood obesity. Our findings
suggest that the use of electronic games should be limited to prevent
childhood obesity."
The research team measured 872 children in first, second, and third grades
enrolled in 10 schools in northeastern Switzerland. A physician and medical
assistant administered questionnaires to the children. Questions assessed
age, sex, nationality, number of siblings, smoking status of parents,
television programs regularly watched, amount of time playing electronic
games, breakfast consumption, watching television during meals and snacking
while watching television. Teachers estimated the amount of physical
activity. The researchers defined obesity using both skinfold thickness and
body mass index (BMI) to provide a more direct assessment of overweight and
overfat status.
In this study, children of foreign nationality living in Switzerland were
about twice as likely to be obese as Swiss children. Non-Swiss children
watched more television and had less physical activity, suggesting that the
disparity in obesity prevalence between Swiss and foreign children may be
partially amenable to culturally sensitive interventions.
Obesity was independently associated with the time spent playing
electronic games and the time spent watching television and was inversely
associated with physical activity. The association of obesity with television
use and lack of physical activity confirms results from other populations and
points to potential strategies for obesity prevention.
"Evidence-based prevention of childhood obesity requires the
identification of modifiable risk factors," said Dr. Stettler. "Because
obesity is difficult to treat once it has been established, obesity prevention
during childhood is an essential component of the efforts to combat this
global epidemic and further research on obesity prevention is necessary."
Dr. Stettler's co-authors were Theo M. Signer, M.D. and Paolo N. Suter,
M.D., M.Ph. of the Medical Policlinic, Department of Medicine, University
Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
Founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital, The Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia is ranked in 2003 as the best pediatric hospital in
the nation by U.S.News & World Report and Child magazines. Through its
long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new
generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major
research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that
have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among
the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health
funding among children's hospitals. In addition, its unique family-centered
care and public service programs have brought the 430-bed hospital recognition
as a leading advocate for children and adolescents from before birth through
age 19. Children's Hospital operates the largest pediatric healthcare system
in the U.S. with more than 40 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and
Delaware.
SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
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Related links:
http://www.chop.edu
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/159681.html
CONTACT:
Joey Marie McCool of The Children's Hospital
of Philadelphia, +1-267-426-6070 or McCool@email.chop.edu
NOTE TO EDITORS: For an interview with Dr. Stettler, please
contact Joey McCool at (267) 426-6070 or mccool@email.chop.edu.
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