The More You Weigh, The More You Watch - Obese Australians Love Their Daytime Television
| Article No. 560 -
September 22, 2006 |
Obese Australians are 48% more likely than the average Australian to be heavy commercial television viewers (four or more hours per day), whereas those classified as underweight or an acceptable weight are 23% less likely than the average Australian to be heavy commercial television viewers and 21% more likely to view no commercial television at all, Roy Morgan Single Source data reveals.
This is despite health concerns associated with watching too much TV and a recent Roy Morgan International finding that a majority of people aged 18 and over in each of the USA (63%), Australia (61%), New Zealand (60%) and the United Kingdom (52%) are classified as either overweight or obese.
Somewhat surprisingly, Australians classified as overweight are 9% less likely to be heavy commercial television viewers.
Gary Morgan says:
“When television viewing is analysed by Body Mass Index classifications, some obvious patterns emerge — obese Australians are much more likely to watch daytime television, particularly soap operas; the more people weigh the more television they watch; and news services are popular throughout all weight brackets.
“Healthier alternatives to sitting around watching TV need to be found to ensure future generations of Australians do not spend the majority of their recreational time in such a passive, largely unhealthy, environment.”
|
The five most popular national television programs viewed by obese Australians
(when compared to all Australians 18+): |
|
Huey’s Cooking Adventures: |
42% more likely than the average Australian |
|
Judge Judy: |
39% more likely |
|
Young and the Restless: |
34% more likely |
|
Days of our Lives: |
34% more likely |
|
Sunrise: |
29% more likely |
Other popular programs viewed by obese Australians include Deal or No Deal (28% more likely), The Bold and the Beautiful (27% more likely), Seven Morning News (26%), Wheel of Fortune and Today Tonight (both 25% more likely).
|
The five most popular national television programs viewed by overweight Australians
(when compared to all Australians 18+): |
|
RPM: |
12% more likely than the average Australian |
|
Surfing the Menu: |
12% more likely |
|
Landline: |
12% more likely |
|
Catalyst: |
12% more likely |
|
Stateline: |
11% more likely |
|
The five most popular national television programs viewed by Australians with an underweight or acceptable weight BMI (when compared to all Australians 18+): |
|
Futurama: |
23% more likely than the average Australian |
|
The Simpsons: |
22% more likely |
|
The O.C: |
21% more likely |
|
South Park: |
19% more likely |
|
That’s So Raven: |
18% more likely |
These are the main findings of the latest Roy Morgan Single Source Survey, conducted in Australia between July 2005 and June 2006 of 22,744 Australians aged 18 and over. Roy Morgan Research collects BMI data only amongst respondents aged 18 and over.
|
BMI |
What your BMI result indicates |
|
Less than 19 |
UNDERWEIGHT
You are under optimum weight for your height. You could afford to gain a little weight. |
|
20 - 25 |
ACCEPTABLE
You have a healthy weight for your height. |
|
26 - 30 |
OVERWEIGHT
You are over optimum weight for your height. You may be facing health problems, so losing some weight would be a good idea. |
|
31 + |
OBESE
You are over optimum weight for your height. You may be facing health risks, so see your doctor to help you achieve a healthier weight. |
Source: http://www.mydr.com.au/tools/bodymass.asp
Margin of Error
The margin of error to be allowed for in any estimate depends mainly on the number of interviews on which it is based. The following table gives indications of the likely range within which estimates would be 95% likely to fall, expressed as the number of percentage points above or below the actual estimate. The figures are approximate and for general guidance only, and assume a simple random sample. Allowance for design effects (such as stratification and weighting) should be made as appropriate.
|
Sample Size |
Percentage Estimate |
| |
25% or 75% |
10% or 90% |
5% or 95% |
|
25,000 |
±0.5 |
±0.4 |
±0.3 |
Roy Morgan Research is the provider of the world’s most extensive and only true single source survey and owner of Asteroid, the leading market research survey analysis software.
For further information:
Gary Morgan: Office (03) 9224 5213 Mobile 0411 129 094 Home (03) 9419 3242
Michele Levine: Office (03) 9224 5215 Mobile 0411 129 093 Home (03) 9817 3066
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