Detrimental effects of watching television on sleep in young children

Detrimental effects of watching television on sleep in young children

  • Do not ignore the power of a good night’s sleep. Quality sleep has become somewhat of a rarity these days.
  • Sometimes, it is easy to believe that you can get by without an adequate amount of rest, but a lack of sleep can contribute to health risks in the long run, so it is important to make it a priority.
  • A study from the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and Harvard School of Public Health following children from ages 6 months to about 8 years, found a consistent link between television viewing and a shorter amount of sleep. Having a television in the same room where a child sleeps was also associated with shorter sleep duration.
  • This study was published in the May issue of Pediatrics, and it is the first study in several years to examine the link between television viewing and sleep.
  • The study participants, children and their mothers, were enrolled into a long-term investigation called “Project Viva,” which examined the health effects of several factors during and after pregnancy.
  • The research team analyzed information that mothers provided them with when the children were around 6 months old and then every year for the next 7 years. The mothers reported how much time infants were in a room when a television was on, how much time per day older children watched television, whether children ages 4 to 7 slept in the same room where a television was, and their child’s average amount of sleep per night.
  • The results showed that over the course of the investigation, each additional our of watching television was associated with an average of 7 fewer minutes of sleep per night, and the effects were stronger in boys than girls. The children who slept in the same room as where a television was present showed an average of half an hour less sleep per night.
  • Note: The content on our website is for educational purposes only. Please consult your health practitioner or a qualified expert.
  • For the health benefits of sleeping.
  • Fragmented sleep may accelerate tumor growth.
  •  REFERENCES:
  • 1. “Television Viewing, Bedroom Television, and Sleep Duration From Infancy to Mid-Childhood.” Pediatrics. Pediatrics, 14 Apr. 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
  • 2. “Study Supports Detrimental Effects of Television Viewing on Sleep in Young Children.” EurekAlert! Massachusetts General Hospital, 14 Apr. 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
  • 3. “Detrimental Effects of Television Viewing on Sleep in Young Children.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 Apr. 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.

 

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