Effect of pre‐meal screen‐time activities on subjective appetite and food intake in normal weight girls

Evidence for an effect of pre‐meal television viewing (TVV) or other screen‐time activities on food intake (FI) is limited in children. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pre‐meal screen‐time activities on subjective appetite and FI in 9–14 year old normal weight (NW) girls. NW girls (n=19) completed 45 min of TVV, computer use, video‐game playing (VGP), or sitting quietly (control). FI (mean kcal ± SEM) from an ad libitum pizza meal was measured immediately after each condition. Subjective appetite was measured at baseline, 15, 30, and 45 min. FI following TVV (575 ± 50), computer use (601 ± 42), and VGP (600 ± 54) did not differ from control (629 ± 56) (P = 0.48). However, FI was greater in girls with a higher BMI percentile (range: 65.1 – 82; n = 9) compared to the lower BMI percentile group (range: 10 – 65; n=10) (P < 0.001), but the response to screen‐time activities on FI was similar (P = 0.53). Average appetite positively correlated with FI, but only after VGP (r = 0.5; P < 0.01). Fat‐mass (kg) positively correlated with FI following TVV (r = 0.43; P = 0.06), computer use (r = 0.60; P < 0.01), and control (r = 0.59; P < 0.01). In conclusion, weight status and body fat, are stronger determinants of FI than pre‐meal screen‐time exposure in NW girls. Supported by Danone Institute of Canada‐Grant‐in‐Aid Program.