RSS feedSome experts would contend that being overweight is the most critical public health threat facing children in the 21st century. Although genes play a role in the overweight problem, overweight is primarily explained by excessive food intake and a lack of regular exercise. Given that childhood obesity tracks into adulthood, a recent publication from the University of Missouri titled “Television watching and frequency of family meals are predictive of overweight onset and persistence in a national sample of school-aged children” caught my eye (J Am Diet Assoc 2007; 107; 53 – 61).
The study looked at 8459 children who were entering kindergarten and then followed them until the spring of their 3rd grade. The parents were asked (1) the number of hours children spent watching TV and videos per week, (2) the amount of aerobic exercise or physical activity per week taken by the child, (3) the frequency of having family meals per week and (4) parent perceptions of how safe the neighbourhood was to allow children to play outside during day time (assessed by a neighbourhood safety rating scale of 1 to 3). Children who watched more television during kindergarten and first grade and who ate fewer meals with their families during kindergarten and first grade were more likely to be clinically overweight at third grade. For each additional hour of television watched per week, the odds of overweight onset by 3rd grade increases1.02 times. In addition, for each breakfast or lunch not eaten as a family the odds of being overweight at 3rd grade increase 1.08 times. Children who watch more television, eat fewer meals with their families and live in neighbourhoods that are reported by parents as less safe for outdoor play are more likely to be members of the persistently overweight group. Within this group, for each additional hour of television watched per week, the odds of being persistently overweight increase 1.03 times and for each meal not eaten as a family, the odds of being persistently overweight increase 1.08 times. In addition, with each point decrease on the neighbourhood safety rating scale, the likelihood of persistent overweight increases 1.32 times.
Recently, Bill Gates announced that our habit of watching television will change with the advent of being able to watch television on the internet. This does not bode well as the Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth recommends no more than two hours of television per day. (It is safe to read television as anything with a screen!) A study on a school-based, experimental intervention to reduce 3rd and 4th graders’ television viewing showed that children in the television reduction group showed significant decreases in measures of body mass and fatness, time spent watching television and the number of meals eaten in front of the television. Increasing the frequency of family meals together not only ensures that children consume more healthy food but also allows parent-child interaction leading to the child developing a healthy attitude towards nutrition and healthy food. Decreasing the number of hours watching television means more available time for children to partake in play and physical activities.
In the February 12th issue of Time magazine, Bill Gates said: “For my son, I limit the hours he can use the computer. He was pretty disappointed in that. He said ‘Is it going to be this way the rest of my life?’ Well, at some age he can pay for his own computer.” Good for you Bill! We won’t go far wrong by taking the same tough stand with our children too.
