Does Eating During Television Viewing Affect Mealtimes in Young Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?

This study looks for differences in mealtime characteristics and glycemic control for young children with type 1 diabetes who either eat with television (TV) viewing or without TV viewing. Sample size is 24 families (mean child age = 5.2, SD = 1.0 years). Meals with TV lasted 6 minutes longer than meals without TV. Meals with TV were associated with greater fat intake and higher average glucose levels, but not with greater intake of calories, carbohydrates, or more child bites. This study suggests relations between TV viewing and some negative outcomes for young children, but more research is needed to determine causation.