TV Makes You Fat
When I was a child, our family rarely ate in front of the television. The only TV in the household was downstairs in the rec room, so unless it was a Friday night and the Christmas specials were on, we ate upstairs. When I was in Grade 6, we moved to a house with an open floor plan (you gotta love the 80’s). This home didn’t have a finished basement, so the boob tube moved into the living room, which made it visible from the dining room. Since we usually ate around 6 o’clock, sometimes the news was on during dinner on a weeknight.
I bring this up because researchers at U of T have discovered that watching television while you eat can lead to increased food consumption. Children who ate lunch in front of the TV consumed 228 calories more than those who dined with the set off. I guess you eat more because you’re distracted or engaged in a mindless activity? I would tend to think that kids who don’t eat in front of the television might be more inclined to go outside and play (i.e. exercise) after they were done than those who were glued to a TV program.
Do you eat in front of the television? Are there particular shows that you watch at mealtime? If you have a “no television during meals” rule, do you ever make exceptions? Share your experiences by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below. Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is BOOBTUBE. It’s good until July 11th.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Hi Carly,
Sorry to have missed you this past saturday in Brampton. Well anyways. In our household growing up, we watched many trivia type shows. (remember headline hunters and definition ?). Since i was the eldest, my siblings had no choice but to watch any science show or nature show that I chose to watch . can you picture the rilvalry. This all occured during the seventies. Needles to say , all my brothers and sisters ( 3 of each) were honour students in math, sciences , social studies and geography. Myself included. So not all was a waste of time watching TV during dinner hour. Pass the corn and peas please.
Sincerely, John D.
Carly’s Note: Aren’t you a smart cookie? Were there many science and nature shows in the 70’s? I just remember Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” with Marlin Perkins, although those might have been re-runs from the 60’s.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
What else are you supposed to do if you don’t eat dinner in front of the TV? Talk to the people you live with? You can do that any other time.
Okay, maybe TV made me fat, but I doubt it. You know what made me fat? Food! I love to eat! I just eat too much. There ain’t no TVs at buffet restaurants, there’s just lots of food! And heck, at McDonald’s, you can get a meal for $3.99 plus tax. Same thing at Wendy’s and Burger King. No TVs there either. Morgan Spurlock gained weight in his movie Supersize Me just by eating at McDonald’s. He didn’t watch any TV there, he just ate. And ate and ate and ate.
Carly’s Note: It’s about moderation. Don’t eat at a buffet restaurant every day (or every week), unless you have incredible control and don’t mind not stuffing yourself and paying the same price as people who do. If you’re craving a Big Mac, just order the burger. If you’re craving fries, just order the fries. Save the full meal deal for the occasional visit. It can be done.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:12 am
Guilty
no fave show, usually watch something I taped, which are a lot of programs since I tend to be a busy little bee…
And I thought it was my chocoholic tendencies that made me gain weight - who knew?
Lee Ann
Carly’s Note: What about chocolate in front of the TV? Now that’s deadly.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Hi Carly,
My childhood expereince was exactly like yours. we always ate at the dinner table-never in front of the TV.
As a young bachelor i always ate in front of the TV.
When i got married it was back to the dinner table.
After my divorce it was back to the TV! Isn’t it funny how life goes in circles, eh? I’m getting dizzy!
Have a great day Carly:)
Carly’s Note: Maybe for singles who are used to conversation at dinner, it seems strange to eat in silence without the sound of another human voice. I usually eat in front of the TV, too.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:39 am
I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like if it weren’t for all those lunch hours watching The Flintstones and Leave it to Beaver. And Im not fat - 5′8″, a buck 85 and cut like a Roman God (ok I threw that one in just to get you going Carly)!
Carly’s Note: I loved the Flinstones, too, Bacchus!
July 10th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Again, guilty…
July 10th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
OMG Paul,
I used to watch the Flinstones too when I got home each day at lunch from school and then I as so sad when I had to go back to school, but back then we NEVER ate in front of the TV, probably why most people were slimmer back then, as when you are eating at a table with or without family, your mind is getting signals from the brain saying you are full, whereas if you are immersed in TV, you gulp down your food without getting the signals that your brain sends you that you’re full, that’s why it’s smarter to eat WITHOUT the TV on as this is a proven medical fact.
‘
Carly’s Note: Either that or you can’t wait to get away from your family, so you don’t eat as much.