WASHINGTON — New research shows that sitting in front of a computer doesn’t help make children fat, but just an hour of daily TV can help them pack on pounds.
The one-hour mark appears to be the tipping point for unhealthy weight gain, say researchers at the University of Virginia evaluating data from more than 10,000 children in kindergarten and first grade.
Children watching an hour or more of TV daily are significantly more likely to be overweight than children watching less than 30 minutes, or between 30 and 60 minutes, of TV daily.
The study also finds that kids who watch more than an hour of TV daily:
- Are 50 percent to 60 percent more likely to be overweight,
- Are 58 percent to 73 percent more likely to be obese;
- Are 86 percent more likely to become overweight in the year between kindergarten and first grade.
There was, however, no similar weight gain related to computer use.
“Given overwhelming evidence connecting the amount of time TV viewing and unhealthy weight, pediatricians and parents should attempt to restrict childhood TV viewing,” said study author Dr. Mark D. DeBoer, of the University of Virginia’s Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, in a news release.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children and teens not “engage with entertainment media” for more than one or two hours per day.
“Given the data presented in this study, the AAP may wish to lower its recommended TV viewing allowances,” DeBoer said.
The study finds U.S. kindergartners watch an average of 3.3 hours of TV daily.
WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report.
