Childhood obesity risk rises by 60% when kids watch one hour of TV a day. This is according to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia. This alarming link between obesity in children and watching television could help thousands of children around the globe who are obese.
At present, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a child may watch the television on a two-hour cap each day. However, this study suggests to cut if further in half.
"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," the study's author, Dr. Mark DeBoer of the University of Virginia said as reported by Huffington Post.
The researchers analyzed data from 11,113 kindergarteners and preschoolers collected from parents between the periods of 2011 and 2012. Headed by the National Center for Education Statistics, they were able to determine lifestyle factors that affected the child's educational performance. Among these variables are the number of hours the child watched television, used a computer or laptop, and their height and weight.
They collected the same information from the same students a year later, reports Medical Daily. They found out that children who watched just one hour of television a day were 50% to 60% more likely to be overweight and 58% to 73% more likely to be obese compared to children with less than an hour time allotted for watching television.
"Given overwhelming evidence connecting the amount of time TV viewing and unhealthy weight, pediatricians and parents should attempt to restrict childhood TV viewing," study author Mark D. DeBoer, MD, MSc, MCR, associate professor of pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Virginia said in a press release.
He added, "Given the data presented in this study, the AAP may wish to lower its recommended TV viewing allowances."
