Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess cross-sectional and longitudinal relations between television (TV) viewing and girls' body mass index (BMI), weight status, and percentage of body fat. STUDY DESIGN: Participants included 169 girls who were measured at ages 7, 9, and 11 years. Height and weight were measured and used to calculate girls' BMI and to classify their weight status. Girls' percentage of body fat was assessed with the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Mothers reported the hours per day that girls watched TV on a typical day. RESULTS: No significant cross-sectional associations were identified. Results from longitudinal analyses showed that in comparison to girls who never exceeded the American Academy of Pediatrics TV viewing recommendations (ie, watched