Bedroom TV for Kids Increases Weight Gain


As a parent, we want to make our children happy. We also want to ensure we're making good long-term decisions to keep them safe and set them up for a successful future. Researchers have found that allowing your child to have a TV in his or her bedroom is one of those things where the negatives truly do outweigh the positives, literally. Researchers have found those children with TVs in their bedrooms gain more weight than those without TVs. Specifically, researchers found that those children with TVs in their bedrooms gain an additional pound of bodyweight each year over those children with no bedroom TV. It is unknown if the weight gain is a result of sleep disruption which is known to cause weight gain, a result of less desire to participate in physical activity or even an increased exposure to television food advertising. However, with this data coming from 6,500 children aged 10 to 14 years, it's clear a TV in a child's bedroom is associated with unhealthy weight gain. Fortunately, it's a quick and simple fix - don't allow your child to have a bedroom TV or remove it if one exists. While it may be easier said than done, as loving parents who are responsible for the well being of our children, it’s just part of our job description!