Mealtime Television Habits
January 8, 2019
The Question: Do mealtime television persist from infancy to early childhood?
The Study: The mealtime television watching habits of babies and their families were recorded every six months from birth through 24 months and again at 48 months of age.
The Results: College-educated fathers and a family income over $50,000 was associated with less frequent TV watching at mealtime. Television watching habits established by 24 months of age persisted at 48 months of age in 84% of the children.
Comment: This study supports the idea that behavior patterns established early tend to persist. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no “screen time” until the child is two years old and only only one hour of “high quality programs” from two to five years of age.
Read More: Clinical Pediatrics, 07/17