What you see is what you eat, according to the latest study to confirm that watching TV encourages children to eat more junk food. But the researchers say there may be an easy way to stop unhealthy snacking in front of the tube: put healthier foods within easy reach.
The reasons for the link between watching TV and eating junk food aren’t surprising: young people watching TV are exposed to more advertising for unhealthy foods—such as fast food or sodas—than commercials for fresh fruits and vegetables. Studies show that kids who watch a lot of TV are more likely to prefer eating foods high in sugar, salt and fat, even when they aren’t watching TV. Plus, when children spend more time in front of the screen, they are also less likely to be exercising or engaging in healthy physical activity.
The researchers also found that some kids who snacked in front of the tube increased the amount of fruit they ate. It all depended on what was available and within reach. “Of course, the link was nowhere near as strong as that between TV watching and the increased (eating) of candy, soda and fast food in general,” says Lipsky. “But it kind of suggests that if you have other options available—and don’t have the unhealthy options available—then children might be encouraged to possibly eat more fruit.”
What you see is what you eat, according to the latest study to confirm that watching TV encourages children to eat more junk food. But the researchers say there may be an easy way to stop unhealthy snacking in front of the tube: put healthier foods within easy reach.
The reasons for the link between watching TV and eating junk food aren’t surprising: young people watching TV are exposed to more advertising for unhealthy foods—such as fast food or sodas—than commercials for fresh fruits and vegetables. Studies show that kids who watch a lot of TV are more likely to prefer eating foods high in sugar, salt and fat, even when they aren’t watching TV. Plus, when children spend more time in front of the screen, they are also less likely to be exercising or engaging in healthy physical activity.
The researchers also found that some kids who snacked in front of the tube increased the amount of fruit they ate. It all depended on what was available and within reach. “Of course, the link was nowhere near as strong as that between TV watching and the increased (eating) of candy, soda and fast food in general,” says Lipsky. “But it kind of suggests that if you have other options available—and don’t have the unhealthy options available—then children might be encouraged to possibly eat more fruit.”
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
