May 30, 2014
Researchers from the University of Liverpool have found that young people are exposed to advertisements that promote unhealthy food during primetime TV, which are normally banned from children’s programming. An analysis of more than 750 ads found that almost one in four TV ads shown between 8-9 p.m. were for food, and it was possible […]
Read more >May 7, 2014
By Andrew M. Seaman Children whose mothers pay close attention to how much time they spend watching TV and playing video games tend to weigh less, according to a new study. Researchers found that mothers who were more active in their media supervision had children who were thinner at age 7 and who gained less […]
Read more >February 5, 2014
Parents who let their teens use electronic devices or watch TV during family meals tend to serve less nutritious food and have poorer family communication, a new study suggests. Experts have suggested turning the TV off at mealtime for years. But with the advent of cell phones and other handheld devices, kids can bring all kinds […]
Read more >January 8, 2014
Children and teenagers who spend lots of time in front of screens – especially TVs – tend to gain more weight as they age, according to a new study. The findings are consistent with research suggesting all that idle sitting and exposure to advertisements may fuel poor eating habits… Many parents believe their children are […]
Read more >October 21, 2013
By Susie O’Brien and Katrina Stokes Even a large amount of exercise does not cancel out “bum time” — periods spent in front of TVs and computers, according to researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast. The study of 144 active children found those who were normal weight spent an average of 140 minutes […]
Read more >October 17, 2013
When Miami Heat star LeBron James isn’t scoring baskets, he’s busy — selling soda, sports drinks, and fast food. But James isn’t alone. In a new study, many top U.S. athletes, from Peyton Manning to Serena Williams, were all over television promoting food and drinks, most of which aren’t very healthy. “We see these people […]
Read more >September 17, 2013
There is more to combating obesity than ensuring that children eat healthy food. There are other factors that can increase children’s risk of obesity — and they can be addressed within a family. A recent study found that adjusting a couple household routines in low-income, racially diverse families could help reduce children’s weight. The most […]
Read more >May 3, 2013
By Charlene Laino When it comes to improving kids’ heart health, which is more important? Exercising more or sitting around less? The answer, according to a study that tested youngsters in a real-world setting, is exercising more. The researchers studied 536 white children ages 8-10 who had at least one obese biological parent. The goal was […]
Read more >April 10, 2013
By Bonnie Rochman Sitting in front of a screen can increase the risk of obesity, but TV seems to have a larger effect on weight than computers or video games. Computers, televisions, smartphones, and tablets are all responsible for keeping more kids more sedentary and mesmerized by a screen, but a new study in Pediatrics found some surprising […]
Read more >January 15, 2013
By Genevra Pittman Just four in 10 U.S. kids met dual national guidelines for getting enough physical activity and for limiting “screen time,” researchers found – but the likelihood of kids exercising regularly didn’t depend on whether they kept away from screens. “I don’t think it’s as simple as, if a child is not watching […]
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