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American Academy of Pediatrics
Article

Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children

Dimitri A. Christakis, Frederick J. Zimmerman, David L. DiGiuseppe and Carolyn A. McCarty
Pediatrics April 2004, 113 (4) 708-713; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.113.4.708
Dimitri A. Christakis
*Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
‡Child Health Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
§Department of Health Services, Seattle, Washington
‖Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
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Frederick J. Zimmerman
‡Child Health Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
§Department of Health Services, Seattle, Washington
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David L. DiGiuseppe
‡Child Health Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Carolyn A. McCarty
*Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
‡Child Health Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Abstract

Objective. Cross-sectional research has suggested that television viewing may be associated with decreased attention spans in children. However, longitudinal data of early television exposure and subsequent attentional problems have been lacking. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that early television exposure (at ages 1 and 3) is associated with attentional problems at age 7.

Methods. We used the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, a representative longitudinal data set. Our main outcome was the hyperactivity subscale of the Behavioral Problems Index determined on all participants at age 7. Children who were ≥1.2 standard deviations above the mean were classified as having attentional problems. Our main predictor was hours of television watched daily at ages 1 and 3 years.

Results. Data were available for 1278 children at age 1 and 1345 children at age 3. Ten percent of children had attentional problems at age 7. In a logistic regression model, hours of television viewed per day at both ages 1 and 3 was associated with attentional problems at age 7 (1.09 [1.03–1.15] and 1.09 [1.02–1.16]), respectively.

Conclusions. Early television exposure is associated with attentional problems at age 7. Efforts to limit television viewing in early childhood may be warranted, and additional research is needed.

  • ADHD
  • television
  • attentional problems
  • prevention
  • Received April 17, 2003.
  • Accepted August 20, 2003.
  • Copyright © 2004 by the American Academy of Pediatrics

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Pediatrics
Vol. 113, Issue 4
1 Apr 2004
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Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children
Dimitri A. Christakis, Frederick J. Zimmerman, David L. DiGiuseppe, Carolyn A. McCarty
Pediatrics Apr 2004, 113 (4) 708-713; DOI: 10.1542/peds.113.4.708

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Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children
Dimitri A. Christakis, Frederick J. Zimmerman, David L. DiGiuseppe, Carolyn A. McCarty
Pediatrics Apr 2004, 113 (4) 708-713; DOI: 10.1542/peds.113.4.708
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Subjects

  • Media
    • Screen Time
    • Media
  • Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics
    • Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics
    • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Keywords

  • ADHD
  • television
  • attentional problems
  • prevention
  • ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  • NLSY, National Longitudinal Survey of Youth
  • BPI, Behavioral Problems Index
  • SD, standard deviation
  • CES-D, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
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