Q+A: Can Too Much Time on the Computer Make My Kid Overweight?

A. Results from a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that preschoolers who used computers had significantly higher body fat than those who didn't use computers at all. While the researchers didn't see differences in body weight between computer users and nonusers, Jason A. Mendoza, MD, lead author of the study, explains that it may simply be a matter of time, since many of the kids had just started to use computers. "As more and more young children have access to computers, like 54 percent of the preschoolers in our study, they may spend less time being physically active, which could lead to more children becoming overweight," he says. So rein in your little Web surfer. Remember to factor in all screens (TV and computer) as you limit your toddler's total viewing time to the recommended two hours or less per day.

Copyright © 2008. Used with permission from the March 2008 issue of American Baby magazine.

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