Association of Health Indicators with Excessive Television Viewing among Elementary School Students in Seoul, Korea

서울시 초등학생의 과잉 텔레비전 시청과 관련된 건강지표

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence and ecological characteristics of excessive television viewing among elementary school students in Seoul. Methods: Secondary data, representative sample of 11,082 subjects in Seoul was used. After prevalence of the excessive television viewing was identified by using factor analysis, 6 main factors explaining the ecological indicators was founded. After identifying prevalence of the excessive television viewing, by using factor analysis, we found 6 main factors explaining the ecological indicators. After categorizing factors into socio-psychological and lifestyle characteristics, we were investigated the odds ratio of excessive television viewing per characteristics by using multiple logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of excessive television viewing was 29.7% among the elementary school student in Seoul. The prevalence were higher in male, higher grade, and non-South of the Han River. Socio-psychological indicators which expressed excessive television viewing were annoying or bullying, scolding from teacher, depressed mode, thought for a runaway from home, an experience of diet, and negative body image. Life style indicators were a lower intake of fruit and vegetables, a higher intake of Ramyun and soft drink, a worse life style of hand washing, and wearing safety equipment. Conclusion: Lifestyle of television viewing was the comprehensive results from family, school, and society rather than a personal preference. Therefore, it is necessary to educate the hazard of excessive television viewing, to reenforce the students' health competence, to activate a safe leisure program as an alternate of television viewing, and to develop a recommendation.