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Healthier kids just the click of a remote away

A recent study by the University of Toronto found a statistically significant link between TV viewing and physical inactivity in Canadian adolescents. The study, which tracked over 7,982 participants aged 12-19, revealed that more hours spent watching TV were associated with less energy expended on physical activity.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateNov 13, 2006

'Bachelorette' viewers aren't seeking reality

Researchers found that fans of 'The Bachelorette' were upset when the female contestant rejected potential suitors, despite her honesty about not having chemistry. The study suggests that viewers prefer fantasy and escape over reality, with most able to distinguish between media portrayal and real life.

Ads for unhealthy foods may explain link between television viewing and overweight in children

A recent study suggests that TV viewing is associated with an increase in calorie intake in children, particularly for unhealthy foods advertised on screen. The research found that each additional hour of TV viewing resulted in a total energy increase of 167 calories, mostly due to increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateApr 21, 2006

Excess television may lead to extra weight for preschoolers

A study of 1,016 children found that those exposed to more than two hours of television per day were more likely to be overweight at ages 36 months and 54 months. The research suggests that even background TV exposure can contribute to weight gain through unhealthy snacking and advertising.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateApr 3, 2006

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine theme issue on children and the media

Research reveals that violent video games contribute to negative attitudes and behaviors in adolescents, while excessive TV watching is linked to reduced social interaction, increased calorie consumption, and earlier sex. African-American children are also overexposed to unhealthy food and beverage ads without health-related content.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateApr 3, 2006

Medicine by media

A critical television documentary about a commonly prescribed birth control pill, Diane-35, led to a significant drop in its use. The study found that over 45% of women who received the medication had no recorded history of acne.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 21, 2005

Watching more TV increases seniors' negative views of aging

A recent study by Yale University found that watching more TV increases seniors' negative views of aging. Participants who filled out a television-viewing diary with an additional page to evaluate how older characters were presented developed greater awareness of these portrayals and reported less negative images of aging.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Social Issues·DateJun 28, 2005

TV ads during sports depict unsafe behavior and violence

A study found that nearly one in five commercials during televised major sporting events show unsafe behavior, with bicycles ridden without helmets being depicted frequently. The study also revealed that 14% of commercials showed unsafe behavior, while 6% displayed violence, mostly in movies and TV programs.

SourcePenn State·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateDec 6, 2004

Excessive TV, lack of safe play space, raise obesity risk for young black girls

Research conducted by Penny Gordon-Larsen found that excessive TV watching and a lack of safe outdoor spaces contribute to increased obesity risk in young black girls. The study, which included 51 interviews with girls aged 6-9 and their mothers, highlights the need for affordable and accessible opportunities for physical activity.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateSep 10, 2004

Smoking in movies returns to 1950s levels

A recent study found that cigarette smoking in top-grossing films has increased to 1950s levels, with an average of 10.7 smoking incidents per hour of screen time. The rise in screen smoking is concerning for youth smoking habits, as previous studies have shown a link between movie smoking and youth tobacco use.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 24, 2004

Flexible screen technology ready to roll

Flexible organic light emitting devices (FOLEDs), developed by University of Toronto engineers, offer a potential solution for future generations of bendable television, computer and cellphone screens. The technology could be manufactured using low-cost, high-efficiency mass production methods within two to three years.

New scheduling method raises efficiency of electronics recycling

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new scheduling method for electronics recycling that optimizes the flow of incoming products from storage to disassembly. By prioritizing large products with quick disassembly times, recyclers can reduce storage space needs by up to half and increase productivity.

SourcePurdue University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Electronics Packaging Manufacturing·DateOct 14, 2003

Does television news turn people off politics?

A study of TV news reports in Britain and US reveals that polls are rarely used to represent public opinion, instead relying on unverified claims and non-ideological citizen representations. This may lead to a disengaged citizenry, as politicians are often left to offer solutions without public input.

Drugs in the news

A study by Alan Cassels and colleagues analyzed newspaper coverage of 5 different prescription drugs in 24 Canadian newspapers. The findings showed that a majority of articles failed to mention potential side effects or harms, while only a small minority provided quantitative information on benefits and harms.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 28, 2003