More TV Means Less Bone Health In Children

“Too much TV is bad for you!” As children, we have heard this from our parents numerous times. At that time, we did not give this sentence due consideration. In our immaturity, we dismissed such advice without thinking twice. Now that we try to scold or persuade our own children, we face the same difficulty. However, the scientific verdict has finally come on our side!

Researchers have found that children who watch too much TV tend to have poor bone health in adult life. 

The study

In an article published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, researchers recorded the time spent in front of the TV for 1181 participants. Most of the participants were children, while a few were adults. Parents were also recruited to observe the duration of TV viewing of their children. After collection of data, the researchers correlated the findings with bone health and age.

The findings

The researchers found that children who consistently watched about 14 hours of TV every week had low bone density. Such children were found to have worse bone health than those who watched less TV. The researchers took into account variables like height, body mass, level of physical activity, diet and general lifestyle. However, the disparity of bone density remained between the two groups.

Why is bone density important?

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) refers to the strength of bones and their capacity to bear weight. A simple DXA scan can help calculate bone density with high accuracy. Doctors routinely use BMD measurements to predict fracture risk in elderly patients as well as the risk of stroke. Not having adequate BMD leads to adverse chronic condition like Osteopenia and even Osteoporosis, which severely degrades overall bone health. This heightens the risk of suffering from fractures upon facing even minor stress.

Simple strategies for better bone health  

In spite of the bad news, you must realise that it is quite easy to maintain the bone health of your children. Children are usually active, both physically and mentally. Moreover, unlike adults, children have plenty of free time.

Taking care of your child’s bone health involves two aspects: proper diet and regular physical activity. Make sure your child gets plenty of calcium and vitamin D-rich foods like dairy products along with foods which have high concentration of potassium and magnesium. Furthermore, engage your child in physically intensive activities like sports. Together, this will help ensure optimal bone health as well as reduce the urge to sit before the “idiot box” for idle entertainment.

By Dr. Shabtab Khalid

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