TV/Video Linked to Overweight/Adiposity in Preschoolers
To add to Paul’s comments about the detrimental effects of TV on children’s food choices, a recent study found a correlation between the time preschoolers spend in front of the tube, and their weight/degree of adiposity (as measured by skinfold thickness).
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends restricting TV/video viewing for children to < 2 hours/day. Yet the study found
…that 30.8 percent of the preschoolers studied exceeded the AAP guidelines just by watching television, not including computer time. Most watched one to three hours of TV or video on the assessment day. Those children who surpassed the AAP recommendations on TV/video viewing were more likely to be overweight or at risk for being overweight.
Children’s computer use also correlated to higher body fat but was not related to weight status, possibly because of the relatively small number of preschoolers who used computers during the research period.
Reasons for obesity observed among the children exceeding AAP recommendations include substituting TV/video watching for physical activity; watching television ads that encourage consumption of unhealthy, fatty foods; and snacking while watching TV/videos.
Good habits are formed early in life. Turning off the tube isn’t just good for you…it’s good for your kids too.
