Screen Time and Childhood Obesity
- posted: Oct. 30, 2023
At Prime Pediatrics, Dr. Farnoush Jamali, Dr. Hanieh Jafarieh, and our team of pediatric providers are dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate care for kids of all ages. If your child is obese or rapidly gaining excess weight, you are right to be concerned for their health, but we can help.
Is My Child Obese?
For adults, BMIs are calculated by height and weight. For rapidly growing young children, BMIs need to be compared to other kids of the same age and sex. A BMI at or above the 95th percentile is considered obese for a child. If your family is facing childhood obesity in Gaithersburg, MD, you are not alone. According to the CDC,1 in 5 children and adolescents are affected by obesity.
How Is Screen Time Affecting My Child’s Weight?
Spending excessive amounts of time in front of the TV and screen devices can contribute to weight gain at any age if you don't stay active, and adults are also guilty of spending too much time on their devices. The CDC reports that kids between 8 and 18 spend up to 9 hours a day on screens and devices for entertainment. Many kids snack mindlessly while they watch TV or play games, consuming a lot of calories without satisfying hunger or providing the body with any nutrition, leading to weight gain. Too much sedentary screen time and weight gain can contribute to anxiety and depression.
How Do I Help My Child?
The best way to influence your kids is to lead by example. Limit TV and screen time as a family, because this will also help improve your own physical and mental health. Encourage nutritious, balanced meals and mindful eating practices. Involve your children in preparing meals to give them an appreciation for the food. Promote your children getting at least 60 minutes of activity per day. Assign active chores like mowing the lawn, and if you have a favorite TV show you all watch together, go for a walk or bike ride before or after.
Get Help Now
Prime Pediatrics is here to help your family combat childhood obesity in Gaithersburg, MD. Dr. Farnoush Jamali, Dr. Hanieh Jafarieh, and our pediatric team can help your whole family get healthy with nutritional guidance. Contact us for an appointment at (301) 977-2440.
- posted: Oct. 30, 2023
At Prime Pediatrics, Dr. Farnoush Jamali, Dr. Hanieh Jafarieh, and our team of pediatric providers are dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate care for kids of all ages. If your child is obese or rapidly gaining excess weight, you are right to be concerned for their health, but we can help.
Is My Child Obese?
For adults, BMIs are calculated by height and weight. For rapidly growing young children, BMIs need to be compared to other kids of the same age and sex. A BMI at or above the 95th percentile is considered obese for a child. If your family is facing childhood obesity in Gaithersburg, MD, you are not alone. According to the CDC,1 in 5 children and adolescents are affected by obesity.
How Is Screen Time Affecting My Child’s Weight?
Spending excessive amounts of time in front of the TV and screen devices can contribute to weight gain at any age if you don't stay active, and adults are also guilty of spending too much time on their devices. The CDC reports that kids between 8 and 18 spend up to 9 hours a day on screens and devices for entertainment. Many kids snack mindlessly while they watch TV or play games, consuming a lot of calories without satisfying hunger or providing the body with any nutrition, leading to weight gain. Too much sedentary screen time and weight gain can contribute to anxiety and depression.
How Do I Help My Child?
The best way to influence your kids is to lead by example. Limit TV and screen time as a family, because this will also help improve your own physical and mental health. Encourage nutritious, balanced meals and mindful eating practices. Involve your children in preparing meals to give them an appreciation for the food. Promote your children getting at least 60 minutes of activity per day. Assign active chores like mowing the lawn, and if you have a favorite TV show you all watch together, go for a walk or bike ride before or after.
Get Help Now
Prime Pediatrics is here to help your family combat childhood obesity in Gaithersburg, MD. Dr. Farnoush Jamali, Dr. Hanieh Jafarieh, and our pediatric team can help your whole family get healthy with nutritional guidance. Contact us for an appointment at (301) 977-2440.