Pediatr Clin North Am. 2001 Aug;48(4):1017-25.
Television viewing and childhood obesity.
Robinson TN.
Division of General Pediatrics and Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA. tom.robinson@stanford.edu
Children spend a substantial portion of their lives watching television. Investigators have hypothesized that television viewing causes obesity by one or more of three mechanisms: (1) displacement of physical activity, (2) increased calorie consumption while watching or caused by the effects of advertising, and (3) reduced resting metabolism. Most of these studies have not tested directly the effects of reducing television viewing behaviors alone, but their results support the suggestion that reducing television viewing may help to reduce the risk for obesity or help promote weight loss in obese children. Finally, one school-based, experimental study was designed specifically to test directly the causal relationship between television viewing behaviors and body fatness. The results of this randomized, controlled trial provide evidence that television viewing is a cause of increased body fatness and that reducing television viewing is a promising strategy for preventing childhood obesity
Thanks for proving what I already said.
Nipping Childhood Obesity In the Bud
Obesity in children in the United States has been increasing at a shocking rate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity among children ages 6-11 has more than doubled in the last 20 years. The rate among adolescents, ages 12-19, has more than tripled, growing from 5% to 16%. (CDC 2007) There are various contributing factors that cause obesity. Most experts agree that nutritional habits and physical activity patterns are major factors contributing to the increase of children who are overweight or obese. Children who are overweight or obese face many challenges in their youth which can carry on into adulthood if they remain obese, including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. The good news is that children who are overweight or obese can be helped and the problems related to them can be controlled and prevented.
While genetics and hormones can play a factor in childhood obesity, what children eat and how much is
a huge contributor to excess weight gain but also inactivity plays a role and the lack of school exercise programs does not help. Some of the best ways to help fight childhood obesity has to start with the support of the entire family by eliminating the high fat high sugar foods that may be kept and replacing them with fruits and vegetables along with balanced smaller portions and most of all being loving and positive. It has always been my belief that children should not be restricted to a regimented diet, to me that is a sure recipe for failure.
Also, instead of sitting in front of the TV, computer or playing video games, make it a family affair and learn to be physically active; go for walks, bike rides plan family outings that encourages physical activities. Remember, it all starts in the home!
