She added, "It actually demonstrates slower language acquisition in kids who are watching too much TV, not to mention (THAT) violent TV can lead to some aggression, research has shown, and also weight gain -- they're sitting around. One really interesting study shows that the development of the brain can be impacted by all of the over-stimulation of TV, leading kids to be less patient, more impulsive, and have a much harder time because they think life should be rapid-fire. They don't know how to slow down, so it does impact their ability to sit in school and learn what they really need to learn."

 

But why televisions, in particular?

 

"(Researchers) are not exactly sure," Ashton said. "... There was something different about staring passively at a TV screen, as compared to, let's say, playing a video game or reading a book. But it's also about not being active and not doing exercise. So, again, it's a combination of both of those factors. And again, this study was significant, because we've known that there are behavioral impacts and consequences to children sitting in front of a TV screen too much. But now, for the first time in children, it's really showing the physical consequences that go along with those behaviors."