The Burden of Obesity in North Carolina Screen Time

Nearly 80% of U.S. households have multiple TV sets. Nearly 80% of U.S. households have multiple TV sets. More than two-thirds of households with children own video and computer games. More than two-thirds of households with children own video and computer games. Children, on average, spend up to 5-6 hours per day involved in sedentary activities. Children, on average, spend up to 5-6 hours per day involved in sedentary activities.

Video and Computer Games Almost all (92%) of U.S. children and adolescents ages 2-17 play video games. Almost all (92%) of U.S. children and adolescents ages 2-17 play video games. On any given day, 30% of all children ages 2-18 will play a video game. On any given day, 30% of all children ages 2-18 will play a video game. Children spend an average of more than an hour playing video games. Children spend an average of more than an hour playing video games.

Increased hours of screen time The average screen time for children is more than 5 hours per day. The average screen time for children is more than 5 hours per day. Children spend more time sitting in front of screens than any other activity besides sleeping. Children spend more time sitting in front of screens than any other activity besides sleeping. About 43 percent of North Carolina children watched an average of 2-4 hours of television a day. About 43 percent of North Carolina children watched an average of 2-4 hours of television a day.

N.C. Students & Screen Time

Approximately 33% of U.S. Children watch more than 3 hours of TV per day

Patterns of TV and Media Use 43% of children, age 2 or younger, watch TV every day 43% of children, age 2 or younger, watch TV every day 41% of children 2-3 years old and 43% of children 4-6 years old use screen media for more than 2 hours per day 41% of children 2-3 years old and 43% of children 4-6 years old use screen media for more than 2 hours per day Children, ages 8-18, watch an average of 3 hours of TV per day Children, ages 8-18, watch an average of 3 hours of TV per day The average family owns 4 TV sets The average family owns 4 TV sets

Food Advertisements Food ads account for more than 50% of all ads targeting children and youth. Food ads account for more than 50% of all ads targeting children and youth. Food manufacturers spend almost $7 billion annually on advertising, and 75% of this is allocated to television. Food manufacturers spend almost $7 billion annually on advertising, and 75% of this is allocated to television.

Food Advertisements Fast-food restaurants alone spend over $3 billion a year in television ads targeted to children Fast-food restaurants alone spend over $3 billion a year in television ads targeted to children

Increased screen time can contribute to obesity While watching TV, children may: snack more snack more watch more commercials for high-calorie and/or high-fat foods and select these foods watch more commercials for high-calorie and/or high-fat foods and select these foods have a lower metabolic rate have a lower metabolic rate substitute screen time for activities that burn more calories substitute screen time for activities that burn more calories