EBN- The media can deliver messages from advertisers to sell products that may prevent our families from being healthy or even harm our health. For example, fast meals can make it difficult to eat healthy. Eating in front of a screen can lead children and adults to consume excess calories and promote obesity.
Spending too much time watching media without moving can displace healthy physical activity and play, according to the website Healthy Children.
Digital Media and Children
Studies have shown that excessive TV viewing is linked to obesity and overweight in children. One way to avoid this outcome is to limit digital media and screen time to no more than one hour per day for children ages 18 to 24 months and older. Learn why TV should be avoided for infants and toddlers.
What parents can do:
Digital media is not suitable for children under 18 months of age, because children need real-world, 3D interactions with you and other family members to learn and grow.
Avoid using TV, digital media, or apps as a babysitter. Instead, find ways to interact with your child face-to-face.
If you plan to use digital media with your child aged 1 1/2 to 2 years or older, watch shows or play games with your child. Children learn best when they hear a parent or caregiver repeat a word or email.
Of course, it’s okay to video chat with a relative via a screen. Just stay close to your child to engage everyone in an active conversation.
Media-free meals
There’s a lot of mindless eating that can happen in front of the TV or other screens. It’s easy for kids to simply eat from one program to the next. And because they’re distracted by the TV or app, they often eat longer than they feel full. The result? Weight gain. Plus, too much screen time is likely to prevent your child from engaging in active play and face-to-face interactions with friends and family.
What parents can do:
Keep your meals media-free. Put away all devices and focus on the food and each other.
Serve your meals at the kitchen table with other family members as much as possible. Mealtime is an important time for family conversations and sharing experiences of the day without the media interfering.
Media and Obesity
There’s another important reason to limit your child’s TV viewing: the constant stream of ads for sugary and fatty foods that directly target children. Studies have shown that children who watch a lot of TV are more likely to be obese . And ads targeting children are one reason why.
What parents can do:
Do not allow children under 18 months to 2 years of age to watch television or use digital media.
Create a family media use plan that ensures that media does not replace other healthy activities such as active play.
Talk about the advertisements your child sees on TV and online and explain how these advertisements encourage unhealthy eating or behaviors.
Stay strong when your child asks for the latest food or candy in the ad. Explain why you think it’s unhealthy and offer a healthy alternative like vegetables or fruit if they’re hungry and want a snack.
Even if your child doesn’t eat in front of the TV, you should still create a family media plan that allows him or her time to eat healthy meals, get enough sleep, and get enough physical activity . Create a family media plan today.
