The effect of television viewing on obesity risk is of
particular interest. Television viewing is thought to
promote weight gain not only by displacing physical
activity, but also by increasing energy intake.76,77 Children
seem to passively consume excessive amounts of energydense
foods while watching television. Furthermore,
television advertising could adversely affect dietary
patterns at other times throughout the day. US and
British children are exposed to about ten food
commercials per hour of television time (amounting to
thousands per year), most for fast food, soft drinks,
sweets, and sugar-sweetened breakfast cereal.78–80
Exposure to 30-second commercials increases