Skip to main content
  • Patient Portal
  • Pay Bill
  • Request Appointment
MCHS_Logo_2024_BLACK
    • Services

      Featured Services

      • Cardiology (Heart)
      • Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Digestive Care)
      • Neurosurgery
      • Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN)
      • Oncology (Cancer)
      • Orthopedics & Orthopedic Surgery (Bones)
      • Primary Care
      • Spine Care
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgery
      • Urology

      View all services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Lake City
      • Lake Crystal
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals

    Recent Posts

    • Two people working
      Speaking of Health
      Maintaining healthy relationships with age
      May 15, 2025
    • Charlie Pierce
      Patient Stories
      The sound of success: How improved hearing aids career change
      May 01, 2025
    • Cutting yellow pepper on board
      Speaking of Health
      Eating healthy on a budget
      April 24, 2025
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight-loss (Bariatric) Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Speaking of Health
    Tuesday, May 18, 2021

    Screen time and body weight — is there a connection?

    Topics in this Post
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Learn ways to get and stay physically fit
    Child jumping on sofa holding moms hands

    According to an article published by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, kids spend an average of 7.5 hours per day in front of a screen. This equates to 52.5 hours per week with media. For most, that’s more than the time spent with parents. Many kids watch a screen when getting ready for school, during meals, between meals and before bed.

    Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reports that extensive research proves a connection between TV watching and obesity among children and adults in countries around the world.

    Studies show that excess TV viewing in childhood predicts risk for obesity well into adulthood. For example, kids who have TV sets in their rooms are more likely to gain excess weight when compared to those who don’t have TVs. Furthermore, marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages also contributes to obesity.

    Experts suggest these tips to limit screen time and increase activity:

    • Remove any/all screens from bedrooms.
      Seventy-one percent of kids between the ages of 8 and 18 years have television sets in their rooms. Kids who have TVs in their rooms watch one-and-a-half more hours of TV than kids who don’t.
    • Eat without electronics.
      Research indicates that families who dine together are healthier, and children show better academic scores.
    • Enjoy screen time on weekends, versus weekdays.
      Sit down and watch television on the weekend as a family. Ideally, your family should watch two hours or less of TV each day.
    • Develop a family screen time rule.
      Families should discuss ways of limiting screen time. Come up with ideas for fun, family-oriented activities.
    • Enjoy physical activity after supper.
      Take a walk as a family, ride bike or engage in an outdoor game.
    • Dance with the kids.
      Turn the TV, tablet or phone off, turn up the music and have a dance-off.
    • Move about while watching television.
      Have a contest to see who can do the most pushups or jumping jacks during commercials.

    Read more about slimming screen time:

    • 5 ways slimming screen time is good for your health
    • 6 tips to reduce children's screen time
    • Are video games and screens another addiction?
    • Children and screen time: How much is too much?

    Register for Slim Your Screen Time — a free at-home, self-guided program designed to help you improve your health by reducing screen time. Join at any time.

    Anne Harguth is a registered dietitian in Waseca, Minnesota.

    Topics in this Post
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Learn ways to get and stay physically fit

    Related Posts

    Person tying running shoe Progressive overload: Get stronger in a healthy way
    Exercise during pregnancy Exercise during pregnancy: Safe, beneficial
    Tying workout shoes Taking the first step: Starting or restarting an exercise program
    Mayo Clinic Health System
    About Us
    Careers
    Volunteer
    Donate
    Contact Us
    Patient Care
    Patients & Visitors
    Classes & Events
    Mayo Clinic Connect
    Mayo Clinic
    Resources
    For Medical Professionals
    Community Resources
    Financial Assistance
    Price Transparency
    Press Room
    Compliance
    Notice of Nondiscrimination
    Notice of Privacy Practices
    No Surprises Act
    Terms of Use
    Manage Cookie
    Privacy Policy
    © 2018 - 2025 Mayo Clinic Health System