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To the Editor: In their longitudinal study, Dr Hu and colleagues¹ found that women who watched more television were at higher risk of developing obesity. Although Hu et al attributed this relationship to the sedentary nature of watching television, we wonder whether this association might partially reflect the messages sent by television content.

Hu et al acknowledged that commercial advertising and food cues may contribute to eating patterns, but the psychological effects of television on behavior can be much more subtle. Vivid television images can cause changes in human physiology and emotions, of which most viewers are unaware.² Subsequent decision making may be influenced by such fallibilities.³

In addition, television watching is not always a sedentary activity. For example, many people watch television while exercising at health clubs. Moreover, Hu et al did not assess whether television viewing might substitute for other sedentary behaviors. Specifically, people often watch television when . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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