Cutting TV and computer time in half helped young, overweight children eat less and lose weight, said Leonard Epstein of the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, whose study appears in the March issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

"Television viewing is related to consumption of fast food and foods and beverages that are advertised on television," the study said.

Researchers followed 70 children aged between four and seven years old who were in the heaviest quarter of their age group on the body mass index (BMI).

All those selected regularly watched television or played computer games for at least 14 hours a week. During the study half the group were allowed to continue in their old habits, while the other half spent 50 percent of their normal time in front of a screen.

However, at the end of the two years scientists found that the limited group weighed on average 10 percent less than those who could view as much television as they wanted.

But there was no difference in the amount of physical activity in either group. Restricting screen time may reduce mindless eating or eating prompted by TV commercials, said Leonard Epstein.

"Our data suggest parents who help kids reduce their screen time may be helping them maintain a healthy body weight and prevent the development of obesity in the future," he said.

Childhood obesity in the United States, where an estimated 16 percent of children ages 6 to 19 years old are overweight, has a 45 percent increase in one decade, according to federal researchers.

(Xinhua/Agencies March 4, 2008)