Fussy or Active Babies Watch More TV

Researchers have identified the risk factors that can predict whether an infant will be glued to the TV for long hours or not.

According to a team of researchers from the University of North Carolina, moms who are obese and addicted to TV are more likely to allow their infants to spend more than three hours in front of the TV daily. The risk increases when the baby is fussy or active.

The study findings, which were reported in the Jan. 7 issue of the journal Pediatrics, are expected to help in solving the epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States.

"In the past, studies have focused on maternal factors for obesity and TV watching, but this is the first time anyone has looked at infant factors and the interaction between maternal and infant characteristics in shaping TV behavior across infancy," first author of the study Amanda L. Thompson said in a news release. "And that's important, because mom and infant behaviors are inextricably linked."

For the study, which analyzed risk factors of childhood obesity, nutritionist Margaret E. Bentley and colleagues included 217 black mothers and their babies. Researchers followed the babies at different stages of their growth - between three and 18 months of age.

Information about children's TV-watching time, nature and activity levels was collected and recorded. Researchers found that three factors - obesity, TV addiction of mother and fussy nature of child - were increasing the infant's chances of spending long hours in front of the TV.

Active kids were found more likely to eat their meals in front of a TV. According to the authors, this trend can prove to be harmful for the healthy growth of a child.

"Feeding infants in front of the TV can limit a mom's responsiveness in terms of examining infant cues, such as when an infant is telling mom he is no longer hungry," said Bentley, principal investigator of the study. "This work has helped us design intervention strategies that will help teach moms how to soothe their babies, without overfeeding them or putting them in front of a TV."