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TV is Worse for Kids Than Video Games

Couch Potato Study

By Ann Douglas

TV is Worse for Kids Than Video Games: Couch Potato Study

Kids who watch TV are even more sedentary than kids who play video games, according to a brand new study conducted on behalf of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

Researchers at the University of Guelph and the University of Toronto found that lack of physical activity is even more strongly linked with TV watching than with other types of sedentary activities, including computer use, video-game playing and reading.

Other studies have already identified out pitfall to too much TV time. Not only do kids who zone out in front of the TV miss out on the opportunity to be physically active. They tend to consume too much high-calorie snack foods—a double whammy health-wise.

To encourage previously sedentary kids to become physically active, set up a play area where your kids are welcome to jump around on mats, kick around beach balls, and practice their hopscotch skills. (Hint: Stick masking tape to the carpet in your family room in order to make a temporary hopscotch grid. Or draw one with chalk on your unfinished basement floor. The novelty factor of being able to play hopscotch indoors may be enough to get the kids off the couch for at least an hour or two.)

Find out more: Visit Activehealthykids.ca. This non-profit Canadian charity focuses on promoting physical activity for children and youth. The site is an excellent source of facts about the childhood inactivity and obesity crisis. It also features a number of excellent links to other “fit kids” websites.

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