Catanduanes Forum

A US national medical institution said on Monday that stricter rules prove effective in preventing kids from spending too much time on TV.

Limiting TV time is important, because watching too much TV or spending too much time on the computer or playing video games raises health risks, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion said.

The health risks include obesity, alcohol abuse, early sexual practice, negative body concept, eating disorders, aggressive behavior and doing poorly in school, the center said.

The center called on parents to set limits on TV watching time.
A just concluded study showed that children whose parents set limits on the amount of time spent watching television actually watch less TV, the center said.

Moreover, children who are physically active tend to spend less time in front of the tube, the center added.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends up to two hours of TV for children over two years of age," said Susan A. Carlson, an epidemiologist at the center.

"We found that when children and parents agreed on the rules they were least likely to exceed the limit," she said.

Children's TV time should be spent watching "quality programs," Carlson said. "Children under two shouldn't be watching TV at all, " she added.
Carlson said parents are role models in both watching TV and physical activity. "Parents can be the best role model," she said.

"Parents need to limit the amount of their children's screen time and they should be encouraging their kids to participate in physical activity," Carlson said.