Genetics | Diet - Nutrition | Physical Activity | Other Activities | Our Social Environment | Sleep

OTHER ACTIVITIES

               While this may seem general, the activities basically are quite specific. In the last 3 decades, it is evident based on several studies that the amount of television viewing per day increases the risk of obesity proportionately. For children watching 2-4 hours of TV a day, the risk is moderate, and for those watching more than 4 hours a day, the risk even higher. This coincides as well with the time spent playing stationary video games which also has dramatically increased in the last 15 years.
        Not only does TV viewing result in less physical activity and reduced caloric utilization, but it also is associated with a greater number of meals and snacks that are consumed in general. Likewise, the types of foods for this “activity” tend to be more highly processed and higher in sugar and fatty content. Although research is difficult due to the lack of controls, the advertising that promotes these foods during television viewing also has a marketing effect on our little consumers. Lessons of good nutritional health are absent unless these messages are conveyed routinely from parents and schools.