TV watching most strongly linked to obesity in kids
Among the lifestyle habits that influence the risk of overweight and
obesity in children, watching television is the worst, suggests new
research. “Identifying habits linked to overweight and obesity in the
early stages of life can help us to define preventive strategies against
other conditions, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases during
adulthood,” said lead author of the study.
The researchers analysed five lifestyle habits: physical activity, sleep time, television time, plant-based food consumption and ultra-processed food consumption. Children who were less active and spent more time in front of the television at four years of age were at greater risk of being affected by overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome at seven years of age, showed the findings.
The researchers also measured the time spent by the children on other sedentary activities, such as reading, drawing and doing puzzles. However, these activities did not appear to be associated with overweight or obesity. “When children watch television, they see a huge number of advertisements for unhealthy food,” said co-leader of the study. “This may encourage them to consume these products,” he said.
Ultra-processed foods, such as pastries, sweet beverages and refined-grain products, are high in sugar, salt and saturated fat and low in nutritional value. The study showed that high intake of these products at four years of age was associated with a higher BMI at seven years of age. Moreover, television viewing “discourages physical activity and interrupts sleep time”, explained Silvia Fernandez, a post-doctoral researcher at Barcelona Institute for Global Health. As the researchers noted, adequate sleep time in early childhood is essential for weight control later in childhood. The study concluded that adult health depends on the establishment of healthy lifestyle habits during childhood.
The researchers analysed five lifestyle habits: physical activity, sleep time, television time, plant-based food consumption and ultra-processed food consumption. Children who were less active and spent more time in front of the television at four years of age were at greater risk of being affected by overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome at seven years of age, showed the findings.
The researchers also measured the time spent by the children on other sedentary activities, such as reading, drawing and doing puzzles. However, these activities did not appear to be associated with overweight or obesity. “When children watch television, they see a huge number of advertisements for unhealthy food,” said co-leader of the study. “This may encourage them to consume these products,” he said.
Ultra-processed foods, such as pastries, sweet beverages and refined-grain products, are high in sugar, salt and saturated fat and low in nutritional value. The study showed that high intake of these products at four years of age was associated with a higher BMI at seven years of age. Moreover, television viewing “discourages physical activity and interrupts sleep time”, explained Silvia Fernandez, a post-doctoral researcher at Barcelona Institute for Global Health. As the researchers noted, adequate sleep time in early childhood is essential for weight control later in childhood. The study concluded that adult health depends on the establishment of healthy lifestyle habits during childhood.