Television poses risk to childrens' health

Watching television can harm children much more than previously thought as it raises the risk of bad eyesight, obesity, premature puberty and autism.

Watching television inhibits the production of the hormone melatonin, which affects the immune system, sleep cycle and the onset of puberty. Melatonin is a hormone that is normally produced only at night.

Lower melatonin levels may be one reason that girls are reaching puberty much earlier than in the 1950s. It is also because the average weight levels of girls has increased. Lower levels of melatonin may also make it more likely that cell DNA will produce cancer-causing mutations.

Key notes regarding television viewing risks :

-- may trigger for autism, cause of permanent eyesight damage;

-- big factor in causing obesity than diet or exercise.

-- the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease increases with each extra daily
hour of television viewing among people aged 20 to 60.

-- TV watching is associated with irregular sleeping patterns among infants.

-- and it significantly increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.


Need of the hour : Restricting childrens watching TV .