Some data from Common Sense Media Newsletter (10/15/04)

1) Over the last 30 years the rate of childhood obesity has 
tripled among youngsters aged 6 to 11 and has doubled for those aged 2 to 5 and 12 to 19.
2) The risk of obesity for a preschooler jumps 6% for every hour of television 
watched per average day.
3) Saturday morning children’s TV shows average at least one food commercial 
every five minutes.
4) If there's a television in a preschooler’s bedroom, the child’s risk for obesity 
jumps 31% per every hour watched.
5) 1/4 of all kids under the age of 2 have their own TVs in their bedrooms.
6) An average child sees 30,000 commercials every year for junk food.
7) Junk food is widely available in schools across the country.

 

Site updated on: 08/29/2007