Turnoff Week 2008

Every day, children ages 8 to 18 spend more than 6 hours watching TV, playing video games, or using the computer for recreational purposes. The more time youth spend in front of the screen, the more likely they are to be overweight. Turnoff Week, April 21–27, is an excellent time to start limiting recreational screen time and boosting physical activity and healthier living. So, turn off the TV, pull the power cord on your video game system, and give the computer a break!

“We know that the more time a child spends in front of the TV or computer, the more likely he or she is to be overweight,” said Acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H. “Kids are spending more time sitting in front of screens every day than they do anything else except perhaps sleeping. For Turnoff Week, we are asking parents to turn off the screens and get active with their kids.”

Celebrate your family and healthy living by doing fun activities together during Turnoff Week. Play a board game, ride your bikes, sit in a circle and tell stories—whatever sounds fun to you and your kids! If the week is already packed with school activities, consider giving your kids a coupon to use whenever they want.

Explore the world around you during Turnoff Week and help your kids experience life unplugged. Your family and you may not miss the TV, computer, DVD player, and video games quite as much as you thought.

Resources

National Institutes of Health. June 2005. We Can!™ Families Finding the Balance, A Parent Handbook, last referenced 4/21/2008.

Also available in Spanish, last referenced 4/21/2008.