Monitor Time In Front Of The Monitor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - If I had to rank studies and the number of studies done on lifestyle issues, I would say that number one is studies on coffee, followed by different diets and then how much TV is the correct amount to watch. The latest study on TV viewing has to do with children.

The report finds children who watch more than 2 hours of TV a day get themselves into situations where it can affect their learning, their attitude, and even their emotions.

Certainly children should watch TV and they should enjoy it and it can be a valuable break, but it's something that should not be overdone. Television is one part of the overall day. Remember kids don't just watch TV these days, you have to throw in computers, video games, and all the other types of things that keep a child from interacting with other people and playing. In fact the most recent report made the critical point that we are vastly underestimating what is called "time in front of the monitor," and when we include video games, computers, and handheld devices, there will be more studies and literature coming out.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor