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TV eating up family mealtime
A generation of "TV-dinner" kids might
be learning their eating habits from Homer Simpson,
according to a recent CNRC survey of children's eating
habits. Survey data showed that 42 percent of time that
Houston-area middle-school children ate dinner at-home,
they were parked in front of the "tube." Nearly
300 fourth- through sixth-graders took part in the one-week
survey.
"Eating an occasional meal while watching television
can be a fun treat for families," said Dr. Karen Cullen, a
CNRC behavioral nutritionist and Baylor assistant professor of pediatrics.
"But keep in mind that family mealtime is extremely important
for children from both a nutritional and a developmental standpoint."
Survey results suggest that concern over these "TV-dinner"
kids might be warranted. Overweight children reported eating nearly
50 percent more dinners while watching television than their normal-weight
peers.
"We know there's a link between the number of hours
children watch television and weight problems," Cullen said.
"We also know that people who watch television while eating
tend to tune out their natural hunger and satiety cues, which encourages
overeating."
Escalating TV-time can also increase the influence of television
programming on children's food preferences.
According to Cullen, food commercials are designed to sell product.
As a result, they tend to tie the use of a food to positive feelings,
such as fun, physical attractiveness or popularity, rather than
hunger or health. They also rarely show how the food fits into a
healthy diet.
"Studies show that children tend to request those foods most
frequently advertised on television," she said. "Unfortunately,
the foods most heavily advertised tend to be low in nutritional
value."
On the other hand, family-focused meals tend to have a positive
influence on children's eating habits.
"Children whose families keep the TV off during mealtimes
tend to consume more fruits and vegetable, less saturated fat and
more of several key nutrients," Cullen said.
Families that tune into each other instead of the TV during meals
also gain an opportunity to talk and connect.
"Positive family mealtime conversations build children's self-esteem
and foster trusting relationships, which can help families talk
through tough issues when they arise," she said.
Research agrees. According to the White House Council of Economic
Advisers, the more meals that teens eat with their families, the
less likely they are to smoke or use alcohol or drugs.
"Family meals are key to helping children learn healthy eating
and life skills," Cullen said. "Parents need to turn off
the television during meals and engage their children."
Source: Carter JB, Cullen KW, Baranowski T. BMI
Related to Number of Meals Eaten Watching TV as Reported by 4TH
to 6TH Grade Students: Demographic Differences. Abstract for
the American Dietetic Association Meeting, Denver, CO, October 2000.
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