When Screen Time Adversely Affects Nutrition

Some children spend too much time in front of a television (TV) set, most often during mealtimes. While some TV programmes can be an excellent educator and entertainer for kids, eating while watching should certainly be discouraged.

In a US research by health experts on young adolescents in 2009-2010, it was found that their mental and physical well-being was influenced by exposure to TV programmes and advertisements. It affects the nutritional intake of the adolescents, curbs their physical activity, reduces their resting metabolism, and leaves less time for interaction with parents, playing or doing his/her homework.

Screen time vs nutrition

Children who eat in front of the TV focus more on the screen than on what they are eating. A study of the eating habits of US pre-schoolers found that children who watched TV while eating typically ate only about half of their food. By concentrating on the TV, they eat a smaller portion of the food on their plate.

The opposite could happen as well, with children overeating because they do not realize that they are already full. Overeating can cause overweight or obesity problems as well as expose children to chronic diseases associated with it, like diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Junk foods

Another concern is that TV viewing can encourage children to eat less-than-healthy foods or request for food products that are frequently advertised between shows. Children have become an important market for food advertisers who use advertisements to expose kids to foods with lower nutritional value like fast foods, snacks or sodas.

Based on a US study done on TV food advertising targeting children over a period of 6 months, it was found that a total of 54,152 advertisements were broadcasted during children’s prime time. Of these, 27.9% comprised of food advertisements and the food group most advertised are snacks, which comprise 34.5% of the total. This is followed by 20.3% dairy products, 13.4% confectionary, 6.7% fast food and 6.4% breakfast cereals. TV food advertising targeting children is also dominated by high fat, refined sugars and salt (HFSS) foods.

Advertisements for healthy foods like fruits and vegetables are rarely shown and this limits a child’s exposure to nutritious foods. According to another research, for every hour of TV children watch, they are 8% less likely to eat fruits daily, 18% more likely to eat candy and 16% more likely to eat fast food.

Physical activity and resting metabolism

Watching TV for a long period of time keeps children from physical activities. This sedentary habit can reduce their resting metabolism because children use fewer calories while sitting around watching TV. The Malaysian Dietary Guidelines recommends that children exercise for at least 30 minutes, five times a week.

Teach them good TV habits

Here are some easy, practical ways to make TVviewing more productive in your home:

1. Limit screen time. Your child’s TV exposure should be 2 hours or less a day. Sit with your child and choose a time and types of programs to watch. Children below 2 years should not watch TV alone. Keep the TV off during mealtimes to encourage family-bonding time.
2. Record favourite shows. This reduces their screen time and also limits the amount of advertisements they are exposed to (you can fast forward when advertisements appear). In case they want to snack while watching TV, place healthy snacks like carrot sticks, oat biscuits or fruits within their reach for them to munch on.
3. Talk about advertisements with your kids. Teach your child about their purpose; advertisements are used to sell products, and as consumers, we need to decide whether or not we even need the products advertised.
4. Provide active alternatives. Physical activity is important for your child’s physical and mental health, so take your children for walks, and allow them to ride bikes, play outside, or play indoor active games instead of watching TV.

The television can be a great source for information and entertainment, but children need guidance when viewing it. It is important that you gauge whether your child is benefiting from watching it, or whether there are unwanted effects on their nutritional, mental and physical well-being.