Released January 15, 2009
STILLWATER, Okla. – This scene maybe familiar to your household: Your child gets home from school, grabs a snack and sits in front of the television to play video games.
Did you know this routine is having an impact on your child’s fitness level?
Researchers have found too much screen time could undermine physical fitness and affect aerobic endurance in children and adolescents.
Debbie Richardson, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension parenting assistant specialist, said this lack of physical activity could result in health issues now and later in life.
“Physical activity is beneficial to children and adolescents,” she said. “With regular physical activity overall health and well-being is improved and the risk of diseases is reduced. In addition, regular activity helps children and adolescents develop healthy physical activity behaviors they can sustain their entire lives.”
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and Healthy People 2010 guidelines, children should keep viewing to a daily maximum of two hours.
To help your child reduce screen time, Richardson suggests the following:
- Explain to children that it is important to sit less and be more active. This will help them be more energized and give them the opportunity to practice certain skills and interact with friends.
- Set screen time limits and minimize the influence of television in the home. Do not put a television in a child’s bedroom. Studies show children who have a television in their room spend nearly 1 ½ hours more a day watching it then those who do not have one in their room.
- Provide other alternatives to television and video games, spend time outside or encourage children to learn a new hobby or sport.
- As an adult, set a good example and limit your screen time to no more than two hours per day. This will allow you to spend more time being active with your family.
- Do not use television as a reward or punishment to a child. This type of practice makes television seem more important to children.
“Children can really improve their quality of life with physical activity as part of their daily life,” she said. “Encourage your children to get moving and limit screen time for a healthy lifestyle change.”
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Contact: Katie Reim, 405-744-6792, katie.reim@okstate.edu
