Duration and Practices of Television Viewing in Thai Infants and Toddlers
Utcharee Intusoma MD*, Ladda Mo-suwan MD*, Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong MD, PhD**
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand ** Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
Background : Television viewing is discouraged in infants; however, its magnitude and pattern in Thailand is still unknown
Material and Method: Data on magnitude of TV viewing and viewing practices from 4,157 children in Prospective Cohort
of Thai Children were obtained between 2001 and 2005.
Results : At 1, 2, 2.5, and 3 years of age, the percentage of children watching TV was 77%, 90%, 92%, and 95%, respectively.
Viewing duration also increased with age from 10 minutes/day at 1 year to 60 minutes/day at 3 years. Bangkok children
spent double the screen time than children in other provinces. The most popular programs were cartoons and entertainment
while 4% to 7% watched children programs.
Conclusion : Most children in this cohort were exposed to TV by three years of age.
Keywords : Prospective Cohort of Thai Children, Infants, Media, Television
