Screen-time, obesity, ageing and disability: Findings from 91 266 participants in the 45 and Up Study

Abstract

Objective To assess the relationship between obesity and sedentary behaviours, such as watching television or using a computer (screen-time), and describe how this relationship varies between population subgroups.Design Cross-sectional analysis of the relationship between obesity (BMI 30 kg/m 2) and screen-time, adjusted for age, sex, income and education and compared according to a range of personal characteristics.Setting New South Wales, Australia.Subjects A total of 91 266 men and women aged 45 years and above from the general population of New South Wales in 2006-2007 and providing self-reported information on height and weight and other factors.Results Obesity prevalence was 21.4 %. Compared to individuals with <2 h of daily screen-time, the adjusted relative risks (RR) of obesity were 1.35 (9.5 % CI 1.26, 1.44), 1.70 (9.5 % CI 1.59, 1.82), 1.94 (95 % CI 1.81, 2.08) and 1.92 (95 % CI 1.80, 2.06) for 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 and 8 h, respectively. The increase in obesity with increasing screen-time was similar within categories of overall physical activity, but was attenuated in those in full-time paid work, compared to non-workers (P for interaction < 0.0001). Among non-workers, the overall obesity RR per 2 h increase in daily screen-time was 123 (95 % CI 121, 125) and was significantly elevated in all groups examined, ranging from 116 to 131 according to sex, level of age, education, income, smoking and fruit consumption. The RR did not differ significantly according to overall physical activity, region of residence and alcohol and vegetable consumption, but was substantially lower in disabled v. not-disabled individuals (P for interaction < 0.0001).Conclusions Obesity increases with increasing screen-time, independent of purposeful physical activity. This was observed in all population groups examined, although it is attenuated in full-time workers and disabled individuals. © 2010 The Authors.