Is screen time and life style connected? A recent US study
suggests that the more time children spend in front of the
television, the more unhealthy food they eat. by Rune H.
Rasmussen and Sigrun Landro Thomassen A recent report from the
Eunice Kennedy Shrive National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development concludes that for every hour of television
children watch, they are 8 per cent less likely to eat fruit
every day, 18 per cent more likely to eat candy, and 16 per cent
more likely to eat fast food. The researchers examined data from
a 2009-2010 survey of more than 12.000 children in grades 5 to
10, average age 13. Exposed to advertising for unhealthy food
The results of the study, the researchers claim, can be
explained by the fact that children are exposed to more
advertisements for junk food and soda than for fruit and
vegetables. As well as this, sitting in front of the television
for prolonged periods of time is linked to children establishing
a pattern of unhealthy eating habits that may cau