Television is a public health issue in several different ways. First of all, kids get lots of information about health from TV, much of it from ads. Ads do not generally give true or balanced information about healthy lifestyles and food choices. The majority of children who watch health-related commercials believe what the ads say. Second, watching lots of television can lead to childhood obesity and overweight. Finally, TV can promote risky behavior, such as trying dangerous stunts, substance use and abuse, and irresponsible sexual behavior. Therefore, parents and others who care about children need to carefully consider the television viewing habits of the children they care for.
--adapted from
Boyse, Kya . "University of Michigan Health
System." Television (TV) and Children: Your Child:. Regents of the
University of Michigan, 1 Aug. 2010. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
