What 3 Steps Reduce Childhood Obesity by 40%?
By Jim F. on Feb 8, 2010
New research in Pediatrics reveals some useful take-home messages for parents of preschoolers.
Q. How can you easily lower the odds of your child becoming obese?
A. There are 3 simple steps you can take.
What are they?
- Regularly eat the evening meal as a family (>5 nights per week).
- Ensure adequate nighttime sleep for your child on weekdays (≥10.5 hours per night).
- Limit screen-viewing (television, video, DVD) time on weekdays (≤2 hours/day).
According to the research of ~8550 four-year-old US children, the odds of being obese are lowered by 40% where all three of these steps are taken. This is compared with children who follow none of these steps.
In the complex world of obesity and diet it is helpful to have some simple guidelines to shoot for as a parent. These steps will force you to take a broader look at your lifestyle - particularly where busyness is eating into a healthy family life.
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Created / Updated: March 3, 2010
For decades, television has been the Great American Babysitter. Its damage goes far beyond obesity. It dumbs down children at an early age, when they should be actively learning about their environment.
ReplyI do not disagree with the damage watching television excessively can do. I disagree with the idea that it dumbs down children at an early age. It depends on the show the child is watching.
ReplyI have watched a few television shows with my nephews (all under 4 yrs old) that seem to be great teachers. They try to teach the alphabet and numbers and basic math. I remember one show that tried to get the kids to get up regularly and jump and dance around promoting physical activity like the characters in the show. My nephews loved that one.
So I think it depends on the show and I do agree that tv time should be limited. But I don't think it is as bad as suggested.
True... and I think the evidence in the research above shows that is it a cluster factors that are involved with childhood obesity.
ReplyYeah, there's a huge difference between "Sesame Street" and "Yo Gabba Gabba" or some other mindless crap.
ReplyWhen I was a kid, we always ate dinner together and my parents were adamant about sleep. I think we had to go to bed by 9 pm up until I was probably in 7th grade. Growing up, we thought it was horrible but in retrospect, it was a good move on my parents' part.
ReplyWell, I have to jump on the limiting screen time bandwagon. We've just recently banned video and computer games on school days, and no tv at all before school in the morning. My kids were becoming little monsters if they didn't get their fix. TV time is now reduced to maybe an hour in the evening, usually less because they get engrossed in their playing and forget about tv. Fine by me. Video and computer games must be earned to play on the weekends through good behavior at school and being respectful. They're really not missing much that school or us parents can't teach them or that they can't figure out on their own (which is the point of playing, right?). Before this restriction, I didn't realize how detrimental the screens were in large doses. As with everything, it's all about moderation and balance.
Replyvery useful article...It's really better to start while still at a young age.. I'm trying to lose weight myself...I have used adipex to lose weight and it is really effective for me. I ordered it online in www.medsheaven.com
ReplyI think those three things are reasonable. Actually I think the idea of eating at a set time in a set spot like the dining room table is the key. People in general usually mindlessly eat while watching tv.
ReplyThese 3 steps are very good suggestions. I'd add a 4th, for teh entire household to eat a healthy diet, those foods which do not promote obesity. Kids who grow up eating the most health promoting foods from the start will usually continue with those habits for a lifetime.
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