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MediaWise Newsletter

Mediawise Newsletter

Vol. 16: This Issue

Children, the Diabetes Epidemic, and the Media Connection

Pop Can

Diabetes is a debilitating chronic disease afflicting more than 16 million Americans, and more and more often, it is afflicting young people. Traditionally, type 2 or "adult onset" diabetes was a disease that attacked the elderly. Now the highest rates of increase are among young people. Previously rare, type 2 diabetes in children now accounts for 16% of new cases.

The good news is that type 2 diabetes is primarily caused by lifestyle, so it is mostly preventable. Scientists agree: the primary cause of type 2 diabetes is obesity. A diet heavy with fat and sugar contributes to weight gain and places greater demands on the pancreas to produce more insulin. Type 2 diabetes results when either a resistance to the insulin develops or the pancreas is unable to keep up with the increased demand.Twix Bar

The Media Connection

There are three reasons heavy media use leads to obesity:

  • Lack of physical activity. Physical activity burns off calories. Less activity means unused calories are converted to fat.
  • Television viewing lowers metabolism. The metabolism rate while watching TV is actually lower than a resting metabolism rate.
  • Heavy TV watchers have poor dietary habits. Research shows children who watch a lot of TV are lured into eating high fat snacks and eat fewer fruits and vegetables.

  • Diabetes rates increased 49% between 1991 and 2000
  • The leading cause of type 2 diabetes is obesity
  • Obesity rates are up 51% in the past decade
  • There is a direct connection between kids’ screen time and risk for obesity
  • In a Stanford University study, children’s weight dropped as they spent less time in front of the screen
Game Remote

The average American child spends 32 hours per week watching TV and playing video games. These activities occupy more time than any other activity except sleeping. Twenty-six percent of children who watch four or more hours of TV a day have significantly more body fat than those who watched less TV. Encouraging children to limit media use and increase physical activity is an essential strategy in diabetes prevention and treatment.

Kids Lose with TV Booze Ads
You will soon see something on primetime network TV you’ve never seen before: ads for hard liquor. NBC recently announced it would lift a 60-year voluntary ban on liquor ads. And if the move pays off for NBC, the other networks are sure to follow.
Alcohol and kids don’t mix. Research has shown that television alcohol advertising encourages kids to drink. NBC is promising not to target kids, but they haven’t shown significant proof that they can avoid it.
Get the latest information on the issue and help us tell NBC to reverse its decision, visit: www.mediafamily.org/act

TV-Turnoff Week 2002

Turnoff TVThe fourth week in April is TV-Turnoff Week 2002. April 22nd through the 28th, American families will turn off their TVs to promote healthier lives and communities.

In the words of the Institute’s Dr. David Walsh:
"TV-Turnoff Week helps children and families discover there is a great, fun world out there beyond the screen."

TV-Turnoff week was created by the TV-Turnoff Network, a nonprofit organization that encourages people to Turn off TV and Turn on Life.

Florida Becomes MediaWise
Parent educators from throughout Florida came together in January for training with Dr. David Walsh. They left ready and eager to bring the MediaWise Program back to their districts, covering every county in the state. The Florida Partnership for Family Involvement has made the MediaWise Program a centerpiece in its work to improve the quality of life for children and families across the Sunshine state. For more information on the MediaWise Program, call 1-888-672-KIDS or visit www.mediafamily.org.

The Newsletter Goes Electronic

Media Wise Computer

Now you can receive this newsletter on paper, electronically, or in both formats. All you have to do to begin receiving this newsletter in your email inbox is visit http://www.mediafamily.org/myprofile/enews.asp
This is just one of many changes you’ll see on the new and improved National Institute on Media and the Family Web site. We’ll alert you to other exciting improvements in the months to come.

Donate to the Institute

Help us Help Children and Families

Ring of HandsWe can’t continue to help American families without financial support. Donations of $25 or more will make it possible for us to expand our Web site, enlarge the reach of our newsletter, and make other critical improvements that are vital to our role as a resource for families. You can send your tax deductible donation to:

National Institute on Media and the Family
606 24th Avenue South, Suite 606
Minneapolis, MN 55454

Donate online at www.mediafamily.org
Or call toll free 1-888-672-KIDS.

 

 

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