Among the findings were that girls aged 13 and 15 who spent more than four hours a day in front of a screen were 50 per cent less fit than their peers whospent a maximum of two hours. In general, those who watch more television or played for longer on the computer were found to be 'significantly' less fit than those who did not. Almost two-thirds of those taking part in the study admittedto watching more than two hours of television each day. The school students were put though a "beep test'' that required them to run between two points over decreasing periods of time. They were then questioned about the time they spent playing computer games and watching television, as well as other types of sedentary behaviour, including playing a musical instrument or doing homework.

Dr Lousie Hardy, who led the study at the University of Sydney's NSW Centre for Overweight and Obesity, said the findings proved children should spend a maximum of two hours sitting in front of a screen. Any longer and their health would suffer. "It is important to understand most children need to exchange excess 'sitting time' for 'active time'," she said. "Get televisions and computers out of your child's bedroom, turnoff the TV during mealtimes and instigate rules around screen use. No screen days would be even better."

The research comes after parentsin Britain were warned not to"kill their children with kindness"by allowing them to eat unhealthy food and sit around playing computer games. In Britain, one child in four is overweight when they start school and one in three is too fatby the time they leave primary school, according to official figures. Dr Hardy said high levels of sedentary behaviour in children could not only lead to obesity or reduced fitness, but also impact on healthy bone development at a critical time in their development.

The Australian study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found more than 60 per cent of the children involved in the survey spent more than two hours in front of a television or computer screen each day. Of that 60 per cent, six per cent spent more than six hours of small screen time daily. The difference in fitness levels was more pronounced in girls than boys.

CHIDRENCE ARE GOD GIFT.

Thnx for the info friend.

Most parents are perfectly happy for their kids to watch TV as it gives them (the parents) a welcome break. Yes, The harm occurs when too much time is spent watching TV...

Very well done....thank u for dusting this

Nice info bro,,,tanx a lot

Realy bro

hmmm all is okay but how will the kid know about news or other things going on world? what about news or knowledge? if no tv they can't know about wwe

nice topic for children..true

Throw your tv in dustbin and save your children's !!!

much more gve spent of kids for playing or readng or gv the activities..

agree with this. limit the time of watching tv and only educational and the informative one.

thnx...buddy...

this is a g0od info to all. Its parents resp0nsibility to guide children to whatever task they r g0ing to undertake. There sh0uld be a limit to everything and children sh0uld be pr0perly inf0rm. Many activities can be d0ne instead of watching tv f0r several h0urs.

Am 16,any problem if i stay for 4hr on small screan?