A new study of Australian children has found that almost 20
percent of kids are overweight or obese by the time they start
school. The study of more than 1200 children aged up to five
conducted by the University of Sydney found that the biggest
factor contributing to children's shocking weight gain was their
home environment. The study found that screen-time was a huge
contributor to childhood obesity almost a third of overweight
children were found to have a television in their room, and
nearly half ate dinner in front of the TV more than three times
a week. Dr Louise Hardy who led the study recommended cutting
down screen time and not rewarding children's good behaviour
with sweets among steps parents could take to reduce childhood
obesity. More than 60 percent of both healthy and overweight
children were rewarded with unhealthy snacks, with overweight
girls the most likely to receive sweet treats in return for good
behaviour. "Kids are being rewarded for good behaviour with
sweet food. They are drinking su