Research released by the University of Sydney suggests a prominent connection between childhood obesity and children having a television in their bedroom.

 

The study, led by the University of Sydney’s Dr Louise Hardy, found that rewarding children with good behaviour with sweets and cutting screen time are key steps towards helping parents cut obesity rates in their children before they start their schooling.

 

The study of over 1,200 children aged five found:

  • the home environment is the most important factor contributing to children's weight gain;
  • almost a third of overweight children had a television in their bedrooms and nearly half ate dinner in front of the TV more than three times a week;
  • more than 60 percent of both healthy and overweight children were rewarded for good behaviour with sweets, while more than one-fifth of overweight and obese children did not eat breakfast;
  • 70 percent of parents of overweight kindergarten children thought their child was the 'right weight' and 30 percent of the parents of obese children thought their child was the right weight;
  • overweight boys were more likely to eat dinner in front of the television and watch too much of it, while overweight girls were more likely to have a television in their bedrooms and be rewarded with sweets."

 

The researchers concluded that the foundation for many lifestyle behaviours is already established by the time children enter school.

 

The researchers suggested the intelligent use of targeted social media advertising as a possible avenue for helping parents change the behavioural patterns of their obese children.