Researchers from Dartmouth University asked 100 families with young kids (ages 3 to 7) how much TV their children watched (with a particular emphasis on Cartoon Network, Disney and Nickelodeon channels) and how often they all went to McDonald’s or Burger King. About 37 percent of these families admitted to visiting one of those restaurants at least once a month, but families whose kids collected, Happy Meals toys (for example) were far more likely to frequent such establishments.
In addition, families with more televisions in the home, or families whose children had television sets in their bedrooms, were significantly more likely to eat fast food.
“That is risky because the foods offered at these restaurants are high in calories, fat and sugar, and young children who eat at these restaurants may develop poor dietary habits that lead to excess weight gain and poor health,” says study author Jennifer Emond. (Fox News)