Kids need to cut back on screen time to stay fit and healthy

NEW LONDON, Mo. – Today’s kids are spending too much time staring at computer and video screens, and parents need to encourage their children to get physical, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health specialist.


“If you include all media—TV, watching videos, playing video games or sitting in front of a computer—our children are averaging 5 1/2 hours a day of inactivity,” said James Meyer.

The rate of obesity in children has more than tripled in the past 30 years, according the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One big reason is that children are not getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity every day, Meyer said.

Obesity is more than just a self-image problem. It increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer, he said.

That makes it important for parents to limit the time children sit in front of a screen. A strict “no TV during meals” rule will benefit the entire family.

“If you have the TV on while your children are eating, that distracts them.” Meyer said. “It could lead to overeating because you’re not paying attention to what you’re eating and whether you’re full or not.”

To get children to trade screen time for exercise, limit their access to television and computers. Move TVs and computers of the kids’ bedrooms. This will make it easier for parents to monitor their children’s electronic activities and encourage kids to get out and play.

Obesity in America is everyone’s problem, he said. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, health care for adult obesity costs the state nearly $2 billion a year, and obese teens have an 80 percent chance of being obese as adults. Missouri ranks ninth in childhood obesity nationwide.

“If we have a crop of young adults who grow up into obese adults, and then have these risks of chronic diseases associated with obesity, that’s going burden our health care system even more and it’s going to cause our health care costs to rise,” Meyer said.

Look for ways to build activity into children’s lives, he said. Parents can start by being good role models. If parents are active, their children will be too.

Encourage your children to walk or bike short distances rather than using mom and dad as chauffeurs. Get children involved in activities around the home like gardening, housecleaning or washing the car.

Good habits start early. Young children are naturally active, and parents can help them keep up the momentum as they grow older.