Is your child on the wrong path? Childhood inactivity could lead to becoming 'middle-aged couch potatoes'

Inactive children are more likely to grow up and become middle-aged couch potatoes, as reported by BBC News. The findings, in a study from University College London, were children at age 10, who spent most of their time watching television shows are 42 percent more likely to grow into adults who spend more than 3 hours still watching television than those who were relatively watch less. They were also more likely to rate themselves as either overweight or obese with "fair" or "poor" health.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - One of the researchers, Dr. Lee Smith, from UCL epidemiology and public health department, said they [the children] have to replace the habit of watching TV with physical activities, like evening walks.

He also stated that if they cannot, "try active computer games, anything that gets people up and expending energy rather than sitting down and snacking."

It is noted that more children are now spending time on computers, tablets and smartphones which can also translate into the same issues with too much time being spent in front of the television.

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Researchers also found that inactive adults also had fathers who were overweight and did manual labor.

Another co-researcher, Dr. Mark Hamer said, this may be caused by "modelling after their parents leisure activities." Manual laborers who work in extensive physical environments outside the home are more likely to sit down for long hours at home and be seen by their children. That is why parents' should do physical leisure activities to encourage their children.

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