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Abstract #160816

Wendi Kannenberg, MPH¹, James B. Weaver, PhD², Gary L. Hopkins, MD, DrPH, MPH³, Stephanie Sargent Weaver, PhD², Duane C. McBride, PhD⁴, Matt Riggs, PhD⁵, and John V. Stevens, JD¹. (1) Center for Media Impact Research, Institute for the Prevention of Addictions/Andrews University, 10211 IPA Road, Berrien Springs, MI 49104, 208-290-6895, wendiwnk@msn.com, (2) Department of Behavioral Science and Health Education, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, 1520 Clifton Road, NE, Room 216, Atlanta, GA 30322, (3) Center for Prevention Research, Center for Media Impact Research, Andrews University, P.O. Box 346, Careywood, ID 83809, (4) Behavioral Science Department, Andrews University, Nethery Hall #123E, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI 49104, (5) Department of Psychology, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407

Objective: Television viewing has recurrently emerged as one of several sedentary behaviors associated with adult obesity. Research exploring the link between obesity and new media use is limited. Within this context, this study explores associations between mass media use – including “new media” (i.e. Internet, video games, and other evolving media technologies) use behaviors -- and body mass index (BMI). Method: Responses were anonymously obtained via a self-administered Internet questionnaire from a random sample of adults (males, n = 426; females, n = 515) in the Seattle-Tacoma DMA. Respondents reported the time spent using media “during a typical week” outside of work/school along with gender, height and weight. Results: As expected, obese respondents watched significantly more television (M = 939.4 ms/wk) than did normal (M = 681.1) and overweight (M = 713.8) respondents. The same trend across BMI emerged for Internet use (normal, M = 563.7; overweight, M = 663.2; obese, M = 873.4). Examination of new media content features revealed significant trends for time spent using video games (VG) and sexually explicit materials (SEM). BMI normal (VG, M = 33.1; SEM, M = 10.4) and overweight (VG, M = 45.6; SEM, M = 28.2) respondents reported significantly less consumption than obese (VG, M = 135.9; SEM, M = 66.8) respondents. Women consistently reported less media use than men. Conclusions: New media use emerges as a highly attractive sedentary behavior for obese individuals- particularly males- that should be incorporated in construction of intervention models and behavioral screening tools associated with obesity.

Learning Objectives:

• 1)Articulate the association between specific “new media” technologies, content use behaviors and adult obesity.
• 2)Apply enhanced understanding of “new media” use behaviors in construction of intervention models and behavioral screening tools associated with obesity.

Keywords: Media, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.