Q: Does eating while watching TV contribute to childhood obesity?

Ask Our Expert About Kids Eating Habits, TV and Obesity

About Our Expert

Jarret Patton, M.D., is a pediatrician and the medical director of Lehigh Valley Hospital’s outpatient pediatrics.

• Does eating while watching TV contribute to childhood obesity?
• How does just watching TV affect a child’s weight?
• What other factors contribute to childhood obesity?
• What health risks are associated with childhood obesity?
• When should I be concerned about my child’s weight?
• What can I do if my child has a weight problem?

Q: Does eating while watching TV contribute to childhood obesity?

A: Most experts agree that eating while watching TV encourages mindless eating. Children (and adults) who are focused on other things tend to ignore signals telling them they are full. Some children get so full on an after-school snack during TV time that they can’t eat dinner.

Mindless eating in childhood sets up a life-long pattern that is hard to overcome. The child never learns to pay attention to the body’s signals of fullness. Also, watching TV becomes associated with snacking, so you reach for a snack every time you pick up the remote.

A lot of recent research has focused on this question, and more needs to be done. It is hard to establish a direct correlation between TV snacking and obesity in children because there are so many variables. Is the child eating apple slices or a whole bag of potato chips? Is she eating her an after-school snack or her meals in front of the television? (Researchers have also noticed that some children who watch TV during meals tend to eat less of the healthy foods, and sometimes eat less of everything because they are engrossed in the television. Later, they are still hungry and tend to fill up on snacks.) How much time does she spend each day watching TV instead of exercising? Is she snacking during all the viewing hours? Researchers are finding that many factors contribute to childhood obesity. Watching TV, with or without eating, is just one of them.

Q: How does just watching TV affect a child’s weight?

A: In the United States, children ages two through 17 watch an average of 20 hours of television a week. One-year-olds are watching TV six hours a week. Children also spend time on the computer and with video games—all sedentary activities which keep them from getting enough exercise. Children who watch a lot of TV are more likely to be enticed by ads for unhealthy foods, like sugar-coated cereals or fast foods.

Q: What other factors contribute to childhood obesity?

A: The main one is an unhealthy diet. During the past 10 years there has been a 45 percent increase in the number of children who are overweight. Every year, the food industry introduces more high-calorie processed foods with little nutritional value, marketed directly to children. Busy parents save time by serving frozen dinners or going to a fast-food place. Both adults and children need to eat healthier meals with more fruits and vegetables and limit snacking.

Q: What health risks are associated with childhood obesity?

A: We have seen an alarming rise in type 2 diabetes in teens and even pre-teens. Until recently, type 2 diabetes was almost unheard of in people under age 30. Most researchers think that this increase is directly linked to the rise in the number of overweight and obese children. An overweight child usually becomes an overweight adult with all the medical conditions that accompany obesity, like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes.

Q: When should I be concerned about my child’s weight?

A: Parents need to be conscious of their child’s weight starting in infancy. Regular well-baby visits with the pediatrician help ensure her overall health, including maintaining a good weight. The pediatrician will note your child’s body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Elementary schools in the Lehigh Valley area keep track of students’ BMI and notify parents periodically. Pediatricians can also provide nutritional counseling and Lehigh Valley Hospital has a program called Fit Kidz Plus that teaches children about fitness, nutrition and lifestyle changes.

Q: What can I do if my child has a weight problem?

A: Children do not become overweight by eating extra helpings of broccoli or snacking on apples. Most American families need to eat more fruits and vegetables and less processed foods. The best thing parents can do is to set a good example.

Serve healthy meals with a variety of vegetables and fruits. Turn off the TV and make meals a time for family sharing. Resist the temptation to cook food just for the children. Most of the things considered 'kid food,' like chicken nuggets or hot dogs contain too much sodium and fat. Limit processed foods and snacks. Keep the fruit bowl full, and don’t buy chips and cookies. Everyone in the family can benefit from changing to a healthier diet, and the overweight child doesn’t feel deprived. Make regular exercise part of your family activities. Limit your child’s screen time, and encourage her to play outside instead.

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