Childhood obesity in Portuguese children

Children who spend more time watching television are at greater risk of obesity and high blood pressure than those who spend more time on the computer and playing electronic games. These are the conclusions of a study coordinated by Cristina Padez of the University of Coimbra and funded by FCT.

Focusing on the relationship between the environment in which children live and excess weight, the results indicate that of the 18,000 children aged between 3 and 11 involved in the study, 28% of boys and 26% of girls watch more than 2 hours of television per day during the week, and on weekends the figures skyrocket to 75% and 74% respectively. These figures are well above the reference limits and constitute risk factors for obesity.

The researcher warns that “60% of obese children already have at least one risk factor such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, triglycerides, and 40% remain obese in adulthood. Even for children who normalize their weight as they grow, the simple fact that they were obese is a risk factor for the onset of certain cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.”

Compared to electronic games and computers, television has a greater impact because "children are more exposed to food advertising, which encourages them to eat foods that are generally unhealthy. Television is more passive, while computers and electronic games require more concentration and interaction."