Childhood Obesity Statistics, Prevention & Causes: 1 Hour of TV Daily Increases Risk

Children who spend at least one hour daily watching the tube are more likely to be overweight or obese than those who watch less TV, a recent study revealed

"Children watching one to two hours were heavier than those watching less than one hour, and were almost as heavy as those watching greater than two hours daily," said Dr. Mark DeBoer of the University of Virginia and lead author of the study, via Newsweek. The study, published in Eureka Alert, was presented at the annual meeting of Pediatric Academic Societies in San Diego last Sunday, April 26, according to Huffington Post.

In the research, DeBoer's team gathered data from Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey and investigated the TV habits of more than 11,000 kindergarten-age children through their parents during the 2011-2012 school year. The study was followed up a year later.

On average, U.S. kindergarteners watched 3.3 hours of TV daily. The results showed that kindergarteners and first-graders who watch more than two hours of TV a day were heavier, as shown in their BMI, than those who watched less than 30 minutes or 30-60 minutes a day. The group of children who spent at least an hour in front of the TV had up to 39 percent more chance to be overweight and more than 86 percent more chance to be obese.

In an article by Medical Daily, childhood obesity is an alarming trend for children and adolescents, according to the fact sheet by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Youth who are obese have a higher risk for developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea, and problems in the bones and joints. Obesity may also contribute to psychological and social problems connected to self-esteem.

"Given overwhelming evidence connecting the amount of time TV viewing and unhealthy weight, pediatricians and parents should attempt to restrict childhood TV viewing," Dr. DeBoer said. In line with this, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has urged parents to restrict children and teens from watching more than 2 hours of TV daily. But Boer says that 2 hours might be too much.

"Given the data presented in this study, the AAP may wish to lower its recommended TV viewing allowances," he said.

Although the study didn't look into how kids gain weight while watching TV, a previous study published in Pediatrics that some of the factors that contribute to weight gain may be due TV commercials about unhealthy foods and/or eating these snacks while tuning in to the programs.