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Play More, Watch Less
Research clearly shows that when children and
teens watch more than an hour or two of television per day they are more likely
to make unhealthy food choices, be less physically active and spend less time
working on school assignments. It seems likely that the same may be true for
adults as well.
Here are some points about TV watching to think about the next time you find
yourself flipping through the channels looking for something to watch.
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There is
no waking activity that people do that burns fewer calories than
watching TV. This includes other sedentary activities like playing video
games, reading, talking on the phone.
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The
typical youth sees 40,000 advertisements per year on TV alone. Many of them
are for foods which are high in calories and low in nutrients like sugary
cereals, snack foods and chips.
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The more
TV watched, the more likely youth are to snack between meals, eat foods
advertised on TV, and try to influence what foods their parents buy.
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Children
who watch TV at mealtimes eat far fewer fruits and vegetables.
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Having a
television turned on while sleeping, even if the sound is muted, disrupts
healthy sleep patterns and contributes to chronic fatigue.
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Students
who watch more than 1-2 hours of television per day are less interested in
school activities and have lower academic scores.
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Youth who
see violence on television are more likely to find violence as an acceptable
way to solve problems.
What can we do
to reduce TV time for ourselves and our children?
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Be a
parent and limit your child’s screen time (TV, video and computers) to no
more than two hours per day as pediatricians recommend.
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Set a good
example yourself, by keeping your own screen time to less than two hours per
day.
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Take
television sets out of bedrooms. Yes, this may mean that occasionally family
members may not get to watch what they each want. This is a good way to
learn about taking turns and negotiating.
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Turn off
the TV during meals and eat together as a family. Practice talking to one
another.
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Plan TV
viewing rather than just automatically plopping down in front of it every
night after dinner. Just think of all the activities you might do instead.
○ Develop hobbies and other interests. Get involved in your community,
neighborhood,
school or place of worship.
○ Play
games, especially active ones, with your kids or other adults.
○ Work
in your yard or tackle projects in your home that you never have time to do.
○
Improve your mind by reading or taking a class, or joining a book club.
○
Socialize more. Go out with friends to see a play, attend a concert, go to a
movie.
○ Walk
your dog, play with and care for your pet.
○ Call
or write old friends. Visit your neighbors.
April 21-27 is
National Turn Off TV Week. What better time to start making changes in the
viewing habits of your family!
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