SEARCH:
Sign in | Join | Help
search Mercola.com
 
FREE Subscription 
The World’s Most Popular Natural Health Newsletter
What Simple Step Can You Take to Lower Obesity in Your Child?
Posted by: Dr. Mercola
June 22 2002 | 1,110 views

In the United States, nearly one quarter of low-income children younger than 5 years are overweight. A team of doctors recommends a simple step that parents can take to lower their preschooler's risk of obesity: removing the TV from the child's bedroom.

Their study of low-income youngsters aged 1 to 5 years found that kids with TV sets in their bedrooms watched nearly 5 hours more TV and videos a week and were more likely to be overweight than their peers without bedroom TV sets regardless of the parents' education.

The researchers believe parents should not put TVs in their child's bedroom and should limit their child's TV viewing to 1 to 2 hours a day.

Pediatrics June 2002;109:1028-1035



Dr. Mercola's Comments:
Follow me on facebook

I disagree with researchers on this one. I don't believe in just limiting TV, I believe there should be no TV in the home at all. I know this is an extreme thought, but one I firmly believe.

TV should be eliminated from our homes because, not only it is an addiction that most of us cannot handle, it has incredibly negative consequences further elaborated below.

My main objection to TV is that it steals what little free time you have left. Does anyone think I could do this newsletter if I was watching TV regularly?

Related Articles:

TV Often Adversely Affects Children

TV Watching, Childhood Obesity Linked

TV Ads Will Change Your Child's Views

Get The TV OUT of Your Child's Room






 
 
 
© Copyright 2009 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.