Policy statement - Children, adolescents, obesity, and the media

Victor C. Strasburger, Deborah Ann Mulligan, Tanya Remer Altmann, Ari Brown, Dimitri A. Christakis, Kathleen Clarke-Pearson, Holly Lee Falik, David L. Hill, Marjorie J. Hogan, Alanna Estin Levine, Kathleen G. Nelson, Gwenn S. O'Keeffe, Gilbert L. Fuld, Benard P. Dreyer, Regina M. Milteer, Donald L. Shifrin, Amy Jordan, Michael Brody, Brian Wilcox, Gina Ley SteinerVeronica Laude Noland

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

263 Scopus citations

Abstract

Obesity has become a worldwide public health problem. Considerable research has shown that the media contribute to the development of child and adolescent obesity, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. Screen time may displace more active pursuits, advertising of junk food and fast food increases children's requests for those particular foods and products, snacking increases while watching TV or movies, and late-night screen time may interfere with getting adequate amounts of sleep, which is a known risk factor for obesity. Sufficient evidence exists to warrant a ban on junk-food or fast-food advertising in children's TV programming. Pediatricians need to ask 2 questions about media use at every well-child or well-adolescent visit: (1) How much screen time is being spent per day? and (2) Is there a TV set or Internet connection in the child's bedroom?

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)201-208
Number of pages8
JournalPediatrics
Volume128
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Junk food
  • Media
  • Obesity
  • Overweight
  • Screen time
  • Television

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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