Children who spend more that two hours a day in front of a television are three and a half times more likely to be obese than kids who watch less, Sydney South West Area Health Services researchers claims.

The study also found a link between obesity and being driven to school. Dr Li Ming Wen, research and evaluation manager, analyzed the weight, height, screen time and modes of travel to school of more than 1300 children with ages between 10-13 years old.

“Almost 35 percent of the surveyed children watched television more than 14 hours a week,” Dr Wen said.

We also found out that children who walked to school on a daily basis were 20 percent less likely to be obese and overweight compared to those who were driven to school.”

Dr Wen advised children to undertake at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity everyday to prevent the risk of obesity.

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