Commentary
TV Exposure Linked to Overweight in Preschoolers
Our research [1] links TV exposure with overweight in preschoolers. We looked at data on about 1000 three-year-olds, to see what effect TV might have on their weight.We found that just being awake and in the room with the TV on for more than two hours a day was a risk factor for being overweight or obese. In fact, more than two hours of TV exposure a day increased the likelihood of being overweight three times.
This held true even after controlling for factors that could confound the results, for example, income level or mother’s education level.
What can parents do?
- Have the TV on less. Turn it off if it's been on for two hours.
- Find out more about Managing Television: Tips for Families
- Find out more about what the research says about Television
- Learn about How Parents can Fight the Obesity Epidemic
[1] Lumeng JC, Rahnama S, Appugliese D, Kaciroti N, Bradley RH. Television exposure and overweight risk in preschoolers. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006 Apr;160(4):417-22.
Updated June 2007
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