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Too much TV!

For every extra weekend TV hour (beyond the recommended 2 hour maximum per day) at age 5 increased the chances of being obese at age 30 by 7% 1/06

Health eating & caries The Relationship Between Healthful Eating Practices and Dental Caries in Children Aged 2-5 Years  

Changing dietary patterns in young children may offset some of the oral health benefits of fluoridation. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between caries in primary teeth and healthful eating practices in young children. The authors used data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to investigate the relationship between healthful eating practices (such as breast-feeding, eating breakfast and consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables a day) and dental caries (untreated tooth decay and overall caries experience) in the primary dentition among children aged 2 through 5 years.  The odds of experiencing caries in primary teeth were significantly greater in nonpoor children who did not eat breakfast daily or ate fewer than five servings of fruit and vegetables per day. 

The findings support the notion that dental health education should encourage parents, primary caregivers and policy-makers to promote healthful eating practices, such as eating breakfast daily, for young children.

Practice Implications. Dental professionals are well-positioned to inform parents and caregivers regarding age-appropriate healthful eating practices for young children entrusted in their care.

Health eating & caries The Relationship Between Healthful Eating Practices and Dental Caries in Children Aged 2-5 Years in the United States, 1988-1994 Dye B.A., Shenkin J.D., Ogden C.L., Marshall T.A., Levy S.M., Kanellis M.J. JADA January 2004

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TV: Eating Up Family Meal Time

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."

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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.

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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."

The best mealtime ingredient: 

    Good conversation   By the time family members arrive home at the end of the day, they're often tired, hungry, and hassled -- hardly the frame of mind for great conversation.

USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine
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