Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, April 9, 2008

For toddlers' health, turn off the television

 Sleepy, one of the Seven Dwarfs, has a public service announcement for parents: Turn off the TV and let the little ones slumber … before your toddler is lobbying for a Lunesta prescription and a Sleep Number Bed.

Recent studies have proven what moms, doctors, conventional wisdom and practical experience have long advocated: Babies need a lot of sleep. A whole lot of it.

A Massachusetts study found that infants and toddlers who slept fewer than 12 hours in a 24-hour period were twice as likely to be overweight than longer sleepers by the time they're 3 years old.

The risk for obesity was made worse by TV watching: 17 percent of children who slept fewer than 12 hours a night and watched two or more hours of television a day before age 2 were obese by age 3, compared with 9 percent of the study participants overall.

"This is a perfect storm. Not sleeping enough and watching too much TV is a particularly hazardous combination in the toddler years," said Dr. Elsie Taveras of Harvard Medical School. "There's room for prevention even in the first month of life."

The American Academy of Pedriatics advises that babies, and children under 2, shouldn't watch TV at all.

Another study, conducted at University of Minnesota School of Public Health, found that teenagers with a television in the bedroom tend to have poorer diet and exercise habits and lower grades in school than those without one.

Girls with a TV in their bedroom reported getting less vigorous exercise, eating fewer vegetables, drinking more sweetened beverages and eating meals with their families less often. Boys with bedroom TVs reported having a lower grade-point average than boys without one, eating less fruit and having fewer family meals.

And although it wasn't studied, it's safe to assume that teens with TVs in their bedrooms are not getting enough sleep. Like babies, teenagers need a lot. Expanding brains and growing bodies need plenty of rest. And when not at rest, they need exercise and play.

Parents would never give their toddler a sugary double shot latte before bed, or any time, for that matter. Turn off the electronic equivalent and let the little ones sleep, sleep, sleep. They won't know what they're missing, and have everything to gain. Except weight.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA