Video Games and Obesity, Best Evidence Yet

Posting Date: 06/30/2004

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.

Page: 1 | 2   previous | next

Email this page  Printer Friendly Bookmark this page