Nature's One: Too Much Time in Front of the Television Impacts Long-Term Health of Kids

NEW YORK, NY, August 20, 2012 (Press-News.org) The television has always been a central part of family life. From gathering around the television to watch sitcoms with family members to kids watching their favorite cartoons on weekend mornings, the television plays an integral role in the lives of people of all ages. ABC News reports that a new study reveals exactly how this electronic device affects children. Nature's One, in response to the study, is concerned that excessive time spent in front of the television by kids, in addition to other lifestyle choices, can lead to preventable health complications as adults.

Previous studies demonstrate the adverse effects of too much time watching television by focusing on obesity and other general health concerns; however, this study, led by Caroline Fitzpatrick, measures the decline in physical fitness that kids experience. Most notably, it highlights the weakened muscular capabilities and increased waist size that kids develop.

"If a child watched an hour more of television as a 4-year-old than they did when they were 2, that corresponded to 0.285 centimeters shaved off their jump. That extra hour of TV time also corresponded to a 0.047-centimeter increase in waist size [...] considering that most children watch more than one hour of TV every day, those fractions of centimeters really start to add up. Fitzpatrick and her colleagues noted that 15 percent of the children in their study watched more than 18 hours of TV each week, corresponding to a .76-centimeter increase in their waist size by age 10," reports the article.

While the physical appearance of obesity can be damaging to a child's self-esteem, it is also indicative of other health issues, including heart conditions and back pain,that may develop as kids get older.

Nature's One, the leader in organic pediatric nutrition, believes that reducing television time goes a long way toward improving the overall well-being of kids. "Naturally, a child who spends excessive amounts of time in front of the television, instead of being outside playing, is going to see an increase in health problems," states Nature's One CEO Jay Highman. "This first starts with obesity, but it also extends to factors most people don't even consider, such as diabetes and, later in life, adult health issues like cancer and heart disease. Honestly, to the chagrin of kids today, the best move parents could make is to severely restrict television and gaming during the week and encourage kids to be more active."

About Natures One

Founded in 1997, Nature's One is a pioneer in the organic baby formula industry. Known for its Baby's Only Organic Formulas, Baby's Only Essentials, PediaSmart Organic Complete Nutrition Beverage, and PediaVance Electrolyte Solution brands, Nature's One has spent 15 years researching, developing, and formulating quality products that offer organic, nutritional solutions to parents.