Obesity

The Obesity workgroup reviews the research literature on screen media exposure and obesity and physical activity and eating behaviors, and makes recommendations for future research and public policy. Obesity is one of the best documented outcomes of screen media exposure. Evidence exists both from observational studies demonstrating associations between screen media exposure and increased risks of obesity, and randomized controlled trials of reducing screen demonstrating cause-and-effect relationships with reduced weight gain in children. Evidence supports increased eating while viewing, exposure to high-calorie, low-nutrient food and beverage marketing, and reduced sleep duration as the most significant mechanisms linking screen time and obesity. Interactive media may also hold promise for improving eating and physical activity behaviors to prevent or reduce obesity. Future interdisciplinary research is needed, particularly experimental research examining the effects of newer mobile and other digital media exposures on obesity.

WORKGROUP MEMBERS

 

Workgroup Chair

Thomas N. Robinson, PhD

Thomas N. Robinson, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics,
Stanford Solutions Science Lab, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

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Jorge A. Banda, PhD

Jorge A. Banda, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, CA

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Lauren Hale, PhD

Lauren Hale, PhD
Associate Professor,
Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

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Amy Shirong Lu, PhD

Amy Shirong Lu, PhD
Assistant Professor,
Department of Communication Studies, College of Arts, Media & Design, Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA

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Frances Fleming-Milici, PhD

Frances Fleming-Milici, PhD
Research Associate, Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT

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Sandra L. Calvert, PhD

Sandra L. Calvert
Director,
Children's Digital Media Center; Professor, Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC

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Ellen Wartella, PhD

Ellen Wartella, PhD
Professor,
Center on Media and Human Development, School of Communication, Northwestern University, Evanston IL

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David S. Bickham, PhD

David S. Bickham, PhD
Professor, Center on Media and Child Health, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA

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