Learning Objective #1: Identify the relationship between screen time and overweight status in preschool children

Learning Objective #2: Identify the different patterns of television watching of the subgroups

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Over the past 20 years in the U. S, the number of overweight children has doubled and the number of adolescent children has tripled. This has been attributed to a more sedentary lifestyle than in generations past. Overweight children have a greater tendency to become overweight adults. Health problems caused by increased weight gain include: Type II diabetes, hypertension, insulin resistance, low self-esteem and elevated cholesterol. It has been estimated that the annual cost of obesity in the U. S. is $117 billion in direct and indirect costs (Carmona, 2004). This study focuses on pre-school children who lead a sedentary lifestyle and the increased incidence of becoming overweight. Also considered are the relationships among subgroups of the population and different patterns of screen time. Screen time includes video gaming, television watching, and computer usage. A quantitative, longitudinal, retrospective study was conducted. The sample studied was low-income pre-school children in rural areas of two southern states. These children were eligible for early Head Start and part of an on-going national study. Data collected included demographics, income and education level.