TELEVISION WATCHING, DIETARY AND SEDENTARY BEHAVIORS AND OBESITY: OBSERVATIONS FROM A SEMI RURAL INDIAN POPULATION

Abstract

Background: Obesity is considered to have increased in epidemic proportions throughout the globe, more so in developing countries like India. Obesity is primarily associated with sedentary lifestyle with poor dietary choices and less physical activity. Television is one of the sedentary activities is often associated with consumption of oily foods. This has compounded the problem of obesity and lead to associated health problems including hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Results: The questionnaire study involved 369 subjects in a rural setup. Majority of the studied population watched TV and major chunk of them were middle aged people. The time involved in TV viewing was higher in the same population, which is a sedentary form of activity. Statistical correlation was observed between education, income status, oily food consumption and Television viewing. Physical activity was notably higher in the non-TV viewing subjects. BMI, which is measure of obesity, was increased in the TV viewers, coupled with lifestyle disorders like Diabetes, Hypertension and arthritis. Alcohol and tobacco usage too was shown to increase with Television viewing. The dietary choices of TV watching subjects were of less nutritive value with more sugar and oil consumption. Conclusion: Indian studies correlating television viewing and obesity in the adult population are lacking. The study shows a significant correlation of increased TV viewing with obesity in the middle-aged population and the associated health problems related to it.