OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the frequency adolescents watch TV in southern Brazil and which factors are associated with this behavior. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 722 adolescents between 10 and 19 years of age. Logistic regression analysis was used to verify association between socio-demographic and anthropometric factors, physical activity, age and sex with the adolescents who watched TV for more than four daily hours. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the adolescents watched more than four daily hours of TV. The prevalence of adolescents who excessively watched TV was higher among those under 16 yr of age (PR 1.92; CI 1.33-2.78). Having a mother with higher educational background (PR 1.51; CI 1.08-2.11), and having waist circumference above 80 percentile (PR 1.63; CI 1.09-2.44) were positively associated with the habit of watching more than 4 hours/day of television. CONCLUSIONS: Higher mother educational background and higher waist circumference are associated with excessive television watching. These results can be useful to create health programs at schools, focusing adolescents between 19 and 15 years old.
television; adolescent; obesity
