SpongeBob Hazardous To Children? Is This A Conspiracy?

Online, October 12, 2011 (Newswire.com) - A recent study reveals the dangers of even short viewing periods of SpongeBob SquarePants for young children. (Was this a conspiracy?) The study suggests that as little as nine minutes can cause short-term attention and learning problems in four-year-olds. The children were randomly assigned to watch SpongeBob or a slower paced cartoon called Caillou. Immediately after viewing they were given mental function tests. The SpongeBob group performed measurably worse.

"We have warned numerous times that TV time is hazardous to your health, certainly not just charming and fun Sponge Bob," say boomer generation health experts Dian Griesel, Ph.D., and Tom Griesel, authors of the new book TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust (April 2011, BSH). "Studies continually link excess TV time to weight gain and obesity. SpongeBob was previously singled out along other cartoon shows as promoting junk foods during their shows."

"Too much TV time for kids has been previously found to have a negative effect on long-term attention problems," says Tom. "This study found problems occurring after very short periods of exposure. Parents need to know this. What kids watch is just as important as how much they watch."

According to Dr. Dimetri Christakis, a child-development specialist at Seattle Children's Hospital, even though the study was small, the data is robust enough to support the idea that media exposure is a public health issue. He said that parents need to realize that fast-paced programs may not be appropriate for young children.

"The evidence is clear," says Dian "TV viewing can be hazardous to both adults and children. It's time to turn off the TV and get a life."

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