Courage to Limit TV

Research shows that the more hours kids spend in front of the TV, the more likely they are to be obese. Kids are turning into super size couch potatoes by exercising only their fingers, as they mindlessly scoop up snacks. With every show they watch, kids are overexposed to advertisements that push high caloric junk food. Here are eight ways to gain the courage to turn off the TV.


Instructions

Step 1
See the Movie "Wall-E" Now this might seem like a mixed message and I plead guilty. But it’s worth risking the possibility of succumbing to the snack bar to hear and see the message the movie delivers. Warning: Humans are in danger of becoming fat blobs. We’ve got to clean up our eating habits because the future is turning chubbier.

Step 2
Consider the Research According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, tweens see an average of 21 food ads a day and more than 7,600 per year. Kids' food preferences are influenced by what is pushed on TV. A trip to the grocery store will prove this point. Kids have been known to throw public temper tantrums demanding the foods they recognize on the grocery store shelves.

Step 3
Read the Studies Stanford University discovered that 3 to 5-year-olds said food in fast food wrapping tastes better than food wrapped in plan packaging. Yikes! Even the toddlers prefer drive-through meals to eating at the kitchen table. Where did they get that idea? Likely from watching the ads on TV.

Step 4
Pay Attention to Brainwashing The amount of commercials kids view adds up when you think of the hours, days, months and years that they’re soaking up “you’ve got to have this” propaganda. With that amount of brainwashing, it’s predictable that kids are choosing foods that put them at the risk of becoming obese. It's no wonder that kids' reading scores are low.

Step 5
Beware of Subtle Tricks Watch out for cartoon characters selling giant size candy bars and big size jars of peanut butter. Kids find the characters irresistible and naturally beg for the products their favorite character promotes.

Step 6
Watch out for “Advergaming” Did you know that companies tempt kids to play games on their websites as a way of advertising their products? Advertising agencies know that kids who want their products will bug their parents to buy them.

Step 7
Repeat this Mantra: Turn Off the TV Decrease the number of hours of TV watching. I’m not suggesting that we punish our kids by banning all forms of entertainment. On the contrary, I advocate curiosity and imagination. Plopping down in front of the TV can be an easy way to keep the kids occupied, but they certainly don’t need that every day. Yes, folks, we must influence children by exposing them to other forms of relaxation. With the TV off, curiosity turns on.

Step 8
Live Life, Don't Just Watch Participate in activities that support family life. Promote children's well-being. Guide kids to get involved in whatever interests them, and TV will automatically turn boring. Being a passive watcher to life is never as fun as living life. Bookmark/Share this article with others: