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TV time, school lunch consumption increased obesity risk in middle schoolers
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Data from a school-based program in Michigan indicate that regular consumption of school lunches and watching more than 2 hours of television increased risks for obesity among middle school-aged boys and girls. However, researchers also found that some risk factors of obesity varied by gender.
“Additional work is needed to help us understand the beneficial impact of improving school lunches and decreasing screen time,” Elizabeth A. Jackson, MD, MPH, cardiologist and assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, said in a press release. “Presumably, playing video games or watching TV replaces physical activity.”
Jackson and colleagues collected data from 1,714 students aged 10 to 12 years enrolled in Project Healthy Schools, a school-based program that promotes healthy eating, physical activity and less screen time.
Elizabeth A. Jackson
According to data, boys were more likely than girls to be overweight (19.4% vs. 15.3%) or obese (18.4% vs. 15.8%). Data also indicate regular school lunch consumption among boys (OR=1.29; 95% CI, 1.01-1.64) and girls (OR=1.27; 95% CI, 1-1.62) and at least 2 hours of television viewing time were linked to obesity (OR=1.19; 95% CI, 1.07-1.32 for boys, and OR=1.19; 95% CI, 1.06-1.34 for girls).
Researchers wrote that boys who participated in vigorous physical activity (OR=0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.98) or school sports teams (OR=0.77; 95% CI, 0.64-0.94) appeared to be less likely to become obese. In girls, milk consumption tended to provide the same protective factor (OR=0.81; 95% CI, 0.67-0.98).
“Cardiovascular disease doesn’t just start in adulthood, and there may be factors that could help us identify during youth or adolescence who might be at increased risk for developing health problems later on,” Jackson said.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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