When is Too Much TV Too Much for Kids?

It may be so obvious that you might wonder why a study is needed to prove the point.

But sometimes what is obvious is either ignored, poo-poo’d or just set aside.

Case in point?  A recent study on child obesity.

The headline about this study says “Watching TV is Worst Habit for Kids When It Comes to Childhood Obesity”

The researchers say they found that of all the common habits children tend to have, watching television had the strongest link to adolescent obesity.

They studied four-year-old kids and looked at such things as physical activity, sleep time, consumption of ultra-processed foods and television viewing time.

And how much TV they watched was found to be the most significant thing.

And not only because of the time watching TV vs the time spent doing physical activity.

The study found that a lot of kids who watch a lot of TV are exposed to a lot more commercials selling sugary and saturated fats.

It’s not always easy for parents to turn off the TV and instead take the kids out to play ball or frisbee or other games.

But the study is a reminder that parenting isn’t supposed to be easy.

(Photo Getty Images)