According to new research carried out at Otago University, New Zealand, the amount of TV a child watches can predict whether he or she will become obese or overweight – and the prediction seems to be pretty accurate.
The children in this study were aged 5-15. Over 40% of obese 26-year-olds watched the most television when they were children, say the researchers.
If you want to reduce your child’s chances of becoming obese, you should restrict their viewing time to no more than 120 minutes per day, say the researchers.
1,000 children were studied. Their birth date ranged narrowly between April 1972 to March 1973. They were questioned about their television watching at the ages of 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15.
This is what they found:
Viewing times per night, Monday to Friday:
Age: 5 -15 ? 2 hours and 30 minutes
Age: 13 – 15 ? 3 hours and 30 minutes
The researchers found that their BMI (body mass index) correlated almost exactly to the numbers of hours they watched TV each day.
The study was led by Dr Robert Hancock. You can read about this study in more detail in the International Journal of Obesity. Dr Hancock said the correlation between BMI and TV viewing was closer than BMI and diet or exercise.
What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?
BMI relates to the amount of fat your body carries in relation to your age and sex. Women naturally have a higher BMI than men. Older people tend to have a higher BMI than younger people (of the same sex).
BMI — Below 18.5 Underweight
BMI — 18.5 – 24.9 Normal
BMI — 25.0 – 29.9 Overweight
BMI — 30.0 and Above Obese
As your BMI increases and you become overweight or obese, you are at increased risk of:
— Cardiovascular disease
— High blood pressure
— Osteoarthritis
— Some cancers
— Diabetes 2
— Premature death
Overweight is just one factor in calculating risk. If you are obese, it does not mean you will suffer from one or more of those conditions or diseases. However, your risk is higher.
Written by Christian Nordqvist
Editor – Medical News Today