TV fosters bad habits in children: study
Reuters
Published: Sunday, April 06, 2008

WASHINGTON -  Teenagers with a bedroom television tend to have poorer diet and exercise habits, and lower grades in school than those without one, say U.S. researchers.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health questioned 781 adolescents, ages 15 to 18, in the Minneapolis area in 2003 and 2004. Of the teens, 62 per cent reported having a television in their bedroom.

Girls with a bedroom television reported getting less vigorous exercise - 1.8 hours per week compared to 2.5 hours for girls without a TV, the researchers said.

Boys with a bedroom TV reported having a lower grade point average than boys without one, as well as eating less fruit and having fewer family meals.




© Reuters

I find this hard to believe it could be true.  I grew up with a TV and a full cable package in my bedroom from the age of 5 and I...
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what were we talking about again.

Both my teens are honours students, active in sports and have part time jobs.  And they each have TVs and computers in their respective rooms - and believe me, you have not seen anything until you have seen the computer playing a video, the TV on to a favourite show, and homework being done - some kids today have multitasking down to a fine art.

Not saying this would work for everyone, but then not every one has these kid's mother!