Early childhood television viewing predicts explosive leg strength and waist circumference by middle childhood
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RESEARCH
Open Access
Early childhood television viewing predicts explosive leg strength and waist circumference by middle childhood Caroline Fitzpatrick1,3,4*, Linda S Pagani1,2 and Tracie A Barnett1,3
Abstract Background: The relationship between early childhood television viewing and physical fitness in school age children has not been extensively studied using objective outcome measures. Methods: Using a sample of 1314 children from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, we examine the association between parental reports of weekly hours of television viewing, assessed at 29 and 53 months of age, and direct measures of second grade muscular fitness using performances on the standing long jump test (SLJ) and fourth grade waist circumference. Results: Controlling for many potentially confounding child and family variables, each hour per week of television watched at 29 months corresponded to a .361 cm decrease in SLJ, 95% CI between -.576 and -.145. A one hour increase in average weekly television exposure from 29 to 53 months was associated with a further .285 cm reduction in SLJ test performance, 95% CI between -.436 and -.134 cm and corresponded to a .047 cm increase in waistline circumference, 95% CI between .001 and .094 cm. Interpretation: Watching television excessively in early childhood, may eventually compromise muscular fitness and waist circumference in children as they approach pubertal age. Keywords: Television, Televiewing, Media, Explosive leg strength, Waist circumference A large proportion of toddlers are exposed to quantities of screen time that exceed recommendations set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics [1,2]. Early childhood represents a critical period for the development of habits and preferred activities [1]. These behavioral dispositions, if they remain entrenched, are then likely to become important predictors of physical activity levels as children enter school when time for leisurely pursuits becomes increasingly limited. Children who watch more television are more likely to develop poor dietary habits, sleep disturbances, and become obese [3-5]. Studies have shown that independent of physical activity levels, time spent engaged in sedentary pursuits adversely affects physical and mental health in youth [6]. Because it * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Centre de Recherche de l’Hôpital Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada 3 Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
represents a sedentary activity which takes time away from other more physically demanding pursuits, the amount of time children spend watching television in early childhood raises concerns over potential consequences for later physical fitness during the school years [7]. Throughout the lifespan, physical fitness relates directly to future health, quality of life, and longevity [8-10]. Abdominal fat and muscular strength represent two reliable
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