Tag Archive for 'TV'

Children sedentarity life and TV

The signs of what might become a future lifestyle are already evident for many in the early years of life. In fact, in the United Kingdom, children aged 3-4 already spend an average of 2 hours a day in front of the TV, in the US 2.2 hours, and in Australia 1.5 hours.

Watching TV for children under 5 years old becomes the defining activity of a sedentary lifestyle. The family is obviously the primary responsible entity for children’s education; sedentary parents are more likely to pass on their way of spending time, just as parents who spend many hours in front of the TV do. Additionally, as with any other choice, the social and economic context represents another factor that can promote or inhibit a specific lifestyle. However, it is possible to intervene positively in these situations, even if they are widespread.

In this regard, a cross-sectional European study involving five countries (Belgium, Germany, Greece, Hungary, and Norway) and 3325 child/parent pairs reported that the presence of rules on how much time children could watch TV or use computers/game consoles is associated with a decrease in children’s screen time.

The results of another cross-sectional study showed that parental actions, from both mothers and fathers, similarly influence the amount of screen time in children aged 1.5 to 5 years. During weekdays, the habit of watching TV during meals was positively associated with children’s screen time, while limiting screen time had the opposite effect.

Furthermore, encouraging physical activity and active play at home reduces sedentary behavior linked to TV use. This proactive approach by parents is essential, as preschool children whose parents limit outdoor play tend to prefer sedentary activities over physical activity.

Z Gen is challenge the fan notion

Nielsen’s review of 2019 ratings in the US shows that almost all of the most-watched content is from the traditional sport behemoths. So it might seem surprising that there is little complacency in the boardrooms of major sports rightsholders that I’ve visited recently around the world.
The dawning reality is that the coming generation, those now aged 16-24, are far from certain to slot neatly into the lucrative sports consumer franchise developed since the invention of mass media in the 1950s. Declining attendance and viewership is already a reality for those not evolving quickly enough. It is time to act.

There are a number of key differences with this new generation which stem from the environment they’ve grown up in. They have higher expectations for entertainment experiences than their elders, and new ways to discover and consume content.
Data from the Nielsen Fan Insights study across eight different markets (China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK and the US) reveals that those aged 16-24 prefer shorter, “snackable” content and, from a sporting standpoint, are less inclined to watch entire games.

This doesn’t mean that their attention spans are shorter – if the content is sufficiently engaging and provides regular opportunities to interact, they are still prepared to invest meaningful time. Fans of watching online video gaming in the US provide a case in point – 29% under the age of 25 state that they watch continuously for one to two hours, whilst 14% watch for three to four hours at a time.

Another myth worth busting is that this generation has no money, or is unwilling to pay for content. Our research shows Gen Z consumers are not averse to paying for premium content, but they are increasingly expecting a tailored value proposition – that is, they want to be able to pay purely for what they want, where and when, and without any long-term contractual commitment.

Largely for these reasons, they are helping to drive the increasing tendency amongst consumers to ‘cut the cord’ on traditional pay-TV subscriptions. And what they want to watch is also shifting towards a larger share of more authentic original content, for example behind-the-scenes, documentaries, etc. They want to be closer to their favourite sports and players beyond just watching a game or a sporting event.

The growth in the streaming of live sport does not necessarily equate to the demise of big screen viewing, though – for example, DAZN states that almost two-thirds of consumption of its platform is still via the TV, with mobile devices only used when necessary. In Australia, 58% of viewing on the Kayo Sports OTT service since launching in November 2018 has been via the big screen. And, of course, a larger proportion of this new generation is still living at home, compared to previous cohorts, so will be watching on the family big screen or escaping to the local sports bar.

 

More “progress”, more diabete and obesity

The spread of obesity and type-2 diabetes could become epidemic in low-income countries, as more individuals are able to own higher priced items such as TVs, computers and cars. The findings of an international study, led by Simon Fraser University health sciences professor Scott Lear, are published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Lear headed an international research team that analyzed data on more than 150,000 adults from 17 countries, ranging from high and middle income to low-income nations.

Researchers, who questioned participants about ownership as well as physical activity and diet, found a 400 per cent increase in obesity and a 250 per cent increase in diabetes among owners of these items in low-income countries.

The study also showed that owning all three devices was associated with a 31 per cent decrease in physical activity, 21 per cent increase in sitting and a 9 cm increase in waist size compared with those who owned no devices.

Comparatively, researchers found no association in high-income countries, suggesting that the effects of owning items linked to sedentary lifestyles has already occurred, and is reflected in current high rates of these conditions.

“With increasing uptake of modern-day conveniences–TVs, cars, computers–low- and middle-income countries could see the same obesity and diabetes rates as in high-income countries that are the result of too much sitting, less physical activity and increased consumption of calories,” says Lear.

The results can lead to “potentially devastating societal health care consequences” in these countries, Lear adds. Rates of increase of obesity and diabetes are expected to rise as low- and middle-income countries develop and become more industrialized.

Football for children

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