Q: I am trying to limit the amount of time my 2 children watch TV. I know it is bad for their health but would like a professional health care provider to acknowledge how it effects their health. Can you please explain to my kids and me why a lot of TV is unhealthy?

A: Television is absolutely hazardous to anyone’s health, especially when it is utilized for mindless loss of valuable time. For children in today’s society TV is one of the greatest downfalls to the health of our future generations. The average 6 to 11 year old child watches about 24 hours of TV per week. The problem is that the more they watch in their younger years, the more likely they are to become overweight in their teen years. Increased TV time is directly proportional to increased snack and eating time as well as decreased exercise time. Exercise for a 6 to 11 year old is crucial at this time for muscle and bone development along with co-ordination skills. The incidence of obesity increases by 2 percent for every hour of TV viewed by 12 to 17 year olds. Twenty percent of teens who watch more then 5 hours of TV a day are obese while only 10 percent of teens who watch for an hour or less have a weight problem.

As a pediatric chiropractor I am concerned about the lost mental capacity and lost life experience but more importantly the effect of obesity on children in developmental stages. Additional weight in the stomach exaggerates developing spinal curves while putting excess stress on spinal discs as well as other weight bearing joints. A healthy spine has a healthy support system, mainly muscles in the stomach, back and legs. If you want to minimize the risk of a backache or the possibility of scoliosis for your child, have them avoid being overweight and keep their supporting muscles, especially their abdominal muscles strong.

There is a definite relationship between poor health and excessive TV.

Read a book, play outside, enjoy nature and be creative for the sake of a healthy body.

Quote of the week: Image creates desire. You will what you imagine.

J.F. Gallimore