Childhood Obesity Prevention Study Results Known

Childhood Obesity Prevention

The National Institute on Media and the Family will announce its results from a childhood obesity prevention study.

America's children are spending more time in front of their televisions and computers. Today, the average child spends over 44 hours per week in front of a screen and has more access to television, with 43 percent of children ages four to six having a TV in their bedrooms.

A recent study has shown that children with televisions in their bedrooms are at 31 percent greater risk for being overweight or obesity.

The study will be presented by David Walsh, Ph.D., founder and president of the National Institute on Media and the Family, on Thursday, May 24, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. EDT, at National Press Club, Murrow Room, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C..

The National Institute on Media and the Family, partnering with the Cargill Foundation, Medica Foundation and the Healthy and Active American Foundation, piloted Switch(R), an eight-month program designed to Switch what kids "do, view and chew." The goal was to measure and evaluate changes in behavior relating to fitness levels, nutritional choices and screen time usage of third-, fourth- and fifth-graders. The preliminary results show increases in physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables, and decreases in screen time by the children participating in the program.

To remind parents that too much screen time is harmful for their child's health, the National Institute on Media and the Family is airing a national public service announcement. The PSA will be airing in more than 20 media markets across the country.