Posted on 19-7-2004

An Hour's TV A Day Max
by James Meikle, July 16, 2004, The Guardian

Researchers last night suggested children should watch no more than an
hour's television a day after finding that those who watched the box for
long periods showed signs of poor health by their mid-20s.

The study followed about 1,000 people from the age of three into
adulthood, and found that those who had consistently spent more than two
hours a day watching TV between the ages of five and 15 were at increased
risk of being overweight, having high cholesterol, and poor cardiovascular
fitness.

British children watch an average two and a half hours of television a
day, with many watching more.

Results of the study in Dunedin, New Zealand, are published in the Lancet
medical journal.

The researchers, led by Robert Hancox, of Otago University, said the link
between TV and poor health persisted after taking account of social and
economic status, weight in early childhood, parents' weight and smoking
habits, and the amount of physical activity as teenagers.

The healthiest adults were those who spent less than an hour a day
watching television as children and adolescents.

Dr Hancox said: "Our results suggest that excessive television viewing in
young people is likely to have far-reaching consequences for adult health.
We concur with the American Academy of Paediatrics that parents should
limit children's viewing to two hours a day.

"In fact, data suggests that less than an hour a day would be even better."