TELEVISION VIEWING AND DIETARY-INTAKE OF PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS

This study examined the television viewing habits of 79 pregnant adole scents and compared the nutrient density of foods (including beverages ) consumed while watching television with food eaten while not watchin g television. The nutrient density of foods consumed as snacks while w atching television also was compared to other snacks. Socio-demographi c data, information on television viewing habits, and four days of die tary intake were obtained by personal interviews. Results indicated th at participants were of low socio-economic status, had completed a mea n of 10.1 years of school, were mostly unmarried (65%), and spent an a verage of 5.3 hours per day watching television. The most frequently w atched television shows were soap operas, comedy shows, and movies whi le sports and Music Television (MTV) were the least frequently viewed programs. The nutrient densities of television and non-television food s were similar with the exception that the television foods were Signi ficantly (p<0.05) lower in fat. Nutrient densities of television snack s were not significantly different from non-television snacks. The mos t frequently reported television snacks included sweets/desserts, carb onated beverages, chips, fruits/vegetables, and bread/cereal products. Results of this study show that foods consumed while viewing televisi on are not of poorer quality than those eaten away from the television , and these foods contributed needed calories and nutrients to the die t of the pregnant adolescents.