Predictors of TV viewing, computer and video game playing among Iranian adolescents

Objective (s): To explore predictors of the sedentary behavior، this current descriptive، analytical study was developed among a sample of adolescents in Tabriz، Iran. Information on adolescent sedentary behaviors including TV viewing، video game playing and physical activity was collected by using A modified version of the Adolescent Physical Activity and Recall Questionnaire (APARQ). In addition an anonymous self-administrated questionnaire used to collect data on demographic characteristics، perceived family support and self-efficacy. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between sedentary behavior and independent variables including gender، psychosocial predictors and modrate، vigorouse physical activity. In all 402 adolescent students were studied. The mean age of students was 12. 93 (SD=0. 49) years; and51. 5 % was female. Overall the mean time of sedentary behaviors on adolescents was 193. 55 (SD=99. 15) minutes/day، this figure for girls and boys were 170. 25 (SD=89. 20) and 218. 25 (SD=103. 34) minutes/day (P<0. 001) respectively. The results obtained from multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that male gender (OR=3. 01، 95%CI=1. 64-4. 64، P<0. 001)، mother employment (OR=2. 36، 95%CI=1. 19-4. 67، P=0. 013)، self efficacy (OR=1. 10، 95% CI=0. 94-0. 99، P= 0. 006) were the most significant contributing factors to the high level of sedentary behavior on adolescents. Gender، mother employment and low perceived self-efficacy were recognized as the main predictors of attaching to sedentary behaviors. It seems that sedentary behaviors independent on adolescent physical activity levels are a psycho enviromental problem. Specefic preventive programe should be developed independendly on adolescent moderate، vigrouse physical activity.