The Effects of Viewing Television Has on Child Obesity
The Effects of Viewing Television Has on Child Obesity
Since television was first introduced, it has grabbed the attention of many. Allowing families to gather with one another and spend time watching their favorite shows. Though now it seems that television is playing a new role in many people’s everyday life by taking large amount of their free time. Many adults sit and watch hours of TV every day and now the trait is passing down to their youth. Children would prefer to watch TV, than rather be outside playing sports or doing other types of physical activities. Now the focus of child obesity is at an all-time high with many organizations such as “Shape Up America” calling on Americans to change their habits for the better. They are asking people to change their habits for the better, and watching long periods of television is one of them. Watching television for long period’s time is partly to blame for the increasing amount of child obesity in America today.
The amount of time spent watching television can directly affect obesity rates, because children become more likely to spend more time watching television tend to have more meals with less exercise. The amount of time spent watching TV can vary on many different factors, such as parenting style, free time, etc. Dennison B. (2002) found that the amount of time spent watching TV is higher in lower income families and those who had higher income spent less time watching TV. Also showing that children who did not have as many meals while watching TV had much lower rates of overweight and obesity. When children are not watching TV for large amounts of time, the more opportunities they have to do activities that burn more calories. The amount of time spent watching TV occupies much of children’s free time and with fewer amounts watched, the more time available for other activities. Children who have improper diets can cause higher rates of obesity, because of the amount of calories taken in on a daily
Since television was first introduced, it has grabbed the attention of many. Allowing families to gather with one another and spend time watching their favorite shows. Though now it seems that television is playing a new role in many people’s everyday life by taking large amount of their free time. Many adults sit and watch hours of TV every day and now the trait is passing down to their youth. Children would prefer to watch TV, than rather be outside playing sports or doing other types of physical activities. Now the focus of child obesity is at an all-time high with many organizations such as “Shape Up America” calling on Americans to change their habits for the better. They are asking people to change their habits for the better, and watching long periods of television is one of them. Watching television for long period’s time is partly to blame for the increasing amount of child obesity in America today.
The amount of time spent watching television can directly affect obesity rates, because children become more likely to spend more time watching television tend to have more meals with less exercise. The amount of time spent watching TV can vary on many different factors, such as parenting style, free time, etc. Dennison B. (2002) found that the amount of time spent watching TV is higher in lower income families and those who had higher income spent less time watching TV. Also showing that children who did not have as many meals while watching TV had much lower rates of overweight and obesity. When children are not watching TV for large amounts of time, the more opportunities they have to do activities that burn more calories. The amount of time spent watching TV occupies much of children’s free time and with fewer amounts watched, the more time available for other activities. Children who have improper diets can cause higher rates of obesity, because of the amount of calories taken in on a daily
References: AM Adachi-Mejia1, 2. M.-E. (2007). Children with a TV in their bedroom at higher risk for being overweight. International Journal of Obesity, 644-651. Barbara A. Dennison, M., Tara A. Erb, M., & and Paul L. Jenkins, P. (2002). Television Viewing and Television in Bedroom Associated With Overweight Risk Among Low-Income Preschool Children. PEDIATRICS Vol. 109, 1028-1035. Jason A Mendoza*1, F. J. (2007). Television viewing, computer use, obesity, and adiposity in US. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 1-10. Lydian Veldhuis1*, I. V. (2012). Behavioral risk factors for overweight in early childhood; the ‘Be active, eat right’ study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 1-7.