This Article  • Full text  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on ISI (146)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal

Leonard H. Epstein, PhD; Rocco A. Paluch, MA; Constance C. Gordy, MS; Joan Dorn, PhD

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2000;154:220-226.

Background  Epidemiogical studies have shown television watching to be a risk factor for the development of obesity in children. The effect of reducing television watching and other sedentary behaviors as a component of a comprehensive obesity treatment program has not been thoroughly tested.

Objective  To compare the influence of targeting decreases in sedentary behavior vs increases in physical activity in the comprehensive treatment of obesity in 8- to 12-year-old children.

Design  Randomized, controlled outcome study.

Setting  Childhood obesity research clinic.

Design  Ninety families with obese 8- to 12-year-old children were randomly assigned to groups that were provided a comprehensive family-based behavioral weight control program that included dietary and behavior change information but differed in whether sedentary or physically active behaviors were targeted and the degree of behavior change required.

Results  Results during 2 years showed that targeting either decreased sedentary behaviors or increased physical activity was associated with significant decreases in percent overweight and body fat and improved aerobic fitness. Self-reported activity minutes increased and targeted sedentary time decreased during treatment. Children substituted nontargeted sedentary behaviors for some of their targeted sedentary behaviors.

Conclusion  These results support reducing sedentary behaviors as an adjunct in the treatment of pediatric obesity.

From the Departments of Psychology and Social and Preventive Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Physically Active Video Gaming: An Effective Strategy for Obesity Prevention?
Pate
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008;162:895-896.
FULL TEXT  

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Physical and Emotional Disturbances in Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Pilot Study
Rofey et al.
J Pediatr Psychol 2008;0:jsn057v2-jsn057.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Review of TV Viewing and Its Association With Health Outcomes in Adults
Williams et al.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE 2008;2:250-259.
ABSTRACT  

Risk factors associated with obesity in children of different racial backgrounds
Urrutia-Rojas et al.
Health Education Journal 2008;67:121-133.
ABSTRACT  

A Randomized Trial of the Effects of Reducing Television Viewing and Computer Use on Body Mass Index in Young Children
Epstein et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008;162:239-245.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Innovations to Reduce Television and ComputerTime and Obesity in Childhood
Gortmaker
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008;162:283-284.
FULL TEXT  

Themed Review: Clinical Interventions to Promote Physical Activity in Youth
Meriwether et al.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE 2008;2:7-25.
ABSTRACT  

Children, Television Viewing, and Weight Status: Summary and Recommendations from an Expert Panel Meeting
Jordan and Robinson
The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 2008;615:119-132.
ABSTRACT  

Recommendations for Prevention of Childhood Obesity
Davis et al.
Pediatrics 2007;120:S229-S253.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Recommendations for Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity
Spear et al.
Pediatrics 2007;120:S254-S288.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Efficacy of Maintenance Treatment Approaches for Childhood Overweight: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Wilfley et al.
JAMA 2007;298:1661-1673.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Evidence-Based Practice Guideline: Increasing Physical Activity in Schools-- Kindergarten Through 8th Grade
Bagby and Adams
The Journal of School Nursing 2007;23:137-143.
ABSTRACT  

2006 Canadian clinical practice guidelines on the management and prevention of obesity in adults and children [summary]
Lau et al.
CMAJ 2007;176:S1-S13.
FULL TEXT  

Lignes directrices canadiennes de 2006 sur la prise en charge et la prevention de l'obesite chez les adultes et les enfants [sommaire]
Lau et al.
CMAJ 2007;176:SF1-SF14.
FULL TEXT  

Energy Expenditure of Sedentary Screen Time Compared With Active Screen Time for Children
Lanningham-Foster et al.
Pediatrics 2006;118:e1831-e1835.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Measuring effectiveness of dietetic interventions in child obesity: a systematic review of randomized trials.
Collins et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006;160:906-922.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The APPLE project: An investigation of the barriers and promoters of healthy eating and physical activity in New Zealand children aged 5-12 years
Williden et al.
Health Education Journal 2006;65:135-148.
ABSTRACT  

Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis: The Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon of Societal Weight Gain
Levine et al.
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio. 2006;26:729-736.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Primary Care and Home-Based Intervention for Physical Activity and Nutrition Behaviors: PACE+ for Adolescents
Patrick et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006;160:128-136.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A two year family based behaviour treatment for obese children
Jiang et al.
Arch. Dis. Child. 2005;90:1235-1238.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Psychosocial and Environmental Correlates of Adolescent Sedentary Behaviors
Norman et al.
Pediatrics 2005;116:908-916.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Promotion of Physical Activity Among High-School Girls: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Pate et al.
Am. J. Public Health 2005;95:1582-1587.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Childhood Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Hannon et al.
Pediatrics 2005;116:473-480.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Screening and Interventions for Childhood Overweight: A Summary of Evidence for the US Preventive Services Task Force
Whitlock et al.
Pediatrics 2005;116:e125-e144.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Overweight Children and Adolescents
Dietz and Robinson
NEJM 2005;352:2100-2109.
FULL TEXT  

Overweight in Children and Adolescents: Pathophysiology, Consequences, Prevention, and Treatment
Daniels et al.
Circulation 2005;111:1999-2012.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Influence of changes in sedentary behavior on energy and macronutrient intake in youth
Epstein et al.
Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2005;81:361-366.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Promoting Lifestyle and Behavior Change in Overweight Children and Adolescents With Type 2 Diabetes
Schreiner
Diabetes Spectr. 2005;18:9-12.
FULL TEXT  

Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Obesity in an Academic Primary Care Center
O'Brien et al.
Pediatrics 2004;114:e154-e159.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Parent Weight Change as a Predictor of Child Weight Change in Family-Based Behavioral Obesity Treatment
Wrotniak et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2004;158:342-347.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

An Intervention to Reduce Television Viewing by Preschool Children
Dennison et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2004;158:170-176.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Family Context of an Intervention to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes in High-Risk Teens
Seibold et al.
The Diabetes Educator 2003;29:997-1004.
ABSTRACT  

Prevention of Obesity in Young Children: A Critical Challenge for Medical Professionals
Sothern and Gordon
CLIN PEDIATR 2003;42:101-111.
 

The prevention and treatment of childhood obesity
Wilson et al.
Qual Saf Health Care 2003;12:65-74.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Practical Model for Preventing Type 2 Diabetes in Minority Youth
Burnet et al.
The Diabetes Educator 2002;28:779-795.
ABSTRACT  

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Children: Primary Care and Public Health Considerations
Ludwig and Ebbeling
JAMA 2001;286:1427-1430.
FULL TEXT  

Environmental Influences, Physical Activity, and Weight Status in 8- to 16-Year-Olds
Dowda et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2001;155:711-717.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The spread of the childhood obesity epidemic
Andersen
CMAJ 2000;163:1461-1462.
FULL TEXT