Childhood Obesity Linked to TV Time, Says Study

TV may not be exactly good for your kids! A study published on Sunday revealed that kids who spend more than an hour a day in front of the TV have 52 percent tendency risks for obesity, as reported in Los Angeles Times. Additionally, the study revealed kids spending a minimum of an hour a day for TV time have 72 percent chances of being obese.

The L.A. Times revealed 12,650 kids were the subjects of the said study. These kids were enrolled in kindergarten for the first time in 2011. The kindergarten operated under a study program of the U.S. Department of Education.

The average time the said kids watched TV was 3.3 hours. Gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status were taken into account during the assessment. However, experts found that the time spent on computers did not affect kids' body mass index or BMI.

A year later, 10,853 of these kids had their BMI tested again. Parents updated the experts about the kids' modified TV viewing habits over the past year. Experts found 39 percent of the kids who viewed TV shows for an average of an hour or so had tendencies to become overweight within kindergarten and first grade. These kids also had 86 percent chances of becoming obese at the time of examination.

Specialists from The American Academy of Pediatrics suggested that kids should have an average of less than two hours of TV time. This suggestion came in lieu of the study findings produced.

A pediatric endocrinologist from The University of Virginia gave his take on the suggestion made by the experts from The Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Mark DeBoer said, "Given the data presented in this study, the AAP may wish to lower its recommended TV viewing allowances."

"Given overwhelming evidence connecting the amount of time TV viewing and unhealthy weight, pediatricians and parents should attempt to restrict childhood TV viewing," DeBoer revealed, as reported by Sciencedaily.com 

Cdc.gov suggested the following lifestyle habits that will prevent childhood obesity:

1. Healthy Eating

Start serving healthy meals on the table. This will motivate kids to eat good food only.

2. Adequate Physical Exercise or Mobility

Adequate physical exercise goes a long way in strengthening the body. Moreover, physical movements get rid of unwanted fats and calories in no time.

Care for your kids' health while your little ones are at the prime of their lives. A little ounce of precaution goes a long way in safeguarding your kids' welfare.