Young children today watch a lot of television -- an average of four hours per day! What they watch, how they watch and how much they watch can have a profound impact as they struggle to make sense of the world and find their own unique place within it.
A malnourished American child -- that is, one whose nutrition is poor -- is more likely to be overweight than underweight. Nearly one third of American children are overweight and their numbers are growing. The cause? Research points to lack of exercise and poor eating habits. The fact is, kids today simply aren't as active as they used to be, and they're watching more TV than ever. In addition to influencing how children exercise, television also affects what they choose to eat. Couch potato kids are more likely to snack on junk foods -- high-fat, calorie-dense snacks such as chips, sodas and sugary cereals -- that are advertised on the shows they watch.
What can you do?
Limit TV viewing to less than two hours per day.
Choose educational TV; it can engage a child's body as well as her mind.
Encourage children to sing and dance along with their favorite characters.
Model good eating habits and talk to kids about why they're so important.
Stock nutritious snacks and come up with creative ways to serve them.
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