Television viewing patterns of hospitalized school-aged children and adolescents.

This descriptive study addressed television viewing as part of hospitalized school-aged children's and adolescents' total daily activities. Thirty-two subjects were observed at half-hour intervals from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Overall, subjects watched television 50.6% of the observational periods. Of the subject and environmental factors considered, only mobility status was significantly related to viewing. Subjects with mobility restrictions had increased viewing hours. The number of subjects watching television significantly decreased when playroom activities were available. Performance of other activities while viewing, and watching television with others, were also significantly related to lower viewing time.