Students in Project EAT-I reported involvement in numerous sports and activities. Sixty-four percent of students reported being on one or more sports teams in the last year; 20% were on 3 or more teams over the year. Over 50% reported participating in vigorous and/or moderate activity for 2.5 hours or more a week.
While they were fairly active, students also reported watching TV and videos for an average of 2.6 hours per day on weekdays. Nearly 50% reported watching 3 or more hours of television or videos per day and 20% reported watching for 5 or more hours.
About 16% reported using a computer (not for homework) 3 or more hours a day.
Despite large amounts of time in front of the television, youth did report spending time on their homework. About 40% of students reported reading or doing homework for 3 or more hours per day, and 60% reported doing homework or reading more than 2 or more hours per day.
On weekends, television watching remained fairly constant with nearly 50% reporting 3 or more hours per day of television or video watching. Homework time decreased on weekends though, only 23% reported doing homework or reading 3+ hours a day, and 40% reported 2+ hours per day.
Over the 5 years between Project EAT-I and Project EAT-II, young people decreased their moderate and vigorous activity and increased their computer use (not for homework).
Results also showed a secular increase in leisure time computer use among high school students between 1999 and 2004. Among high school males, leisure computer use increased from an average of 10 hours per week at EAT-I (1999) to 15 hours per week at EAT-II (2004). Among high school females, leisure computer use similarly increased from an average of 9 hours per week at EAT-I (1999) to 11 hours per week at EAT-II (2004).
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Project EAT: Results from EAT I
