Put down that remote! The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) and Check Your Health invite families to turn off their electronic devices during 'Unplug 'n Play' week, April 20-26. This year, Unplug 'n Play staff encourage families to limit time spent with television, computers, and handheld devices like games and phones.

"Utah ranks high among other states in how 'connected' we are, but it's affecting us in surprising ways," said Brett McIff, Physical Activity Coordinator for the UDOH Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Program. According to a 2007 UDOH survey, 30% of boys and 32% of girls ages 5-17 watched two or more hours of TV on a typical weekday. And 32% of boys and 11% of girls played two or more hours of video games per day. The numbers were even higher for weekend TV and video game use.

And the kids aren't alone. A 2006 Neilson study found American adults watch an average of 4? hours of television daily.

"Research shows the more 'screen time' people get, the higher their rate of sleep problems, decreased physical activity, and poor eating habits," said McIff. "Children are at even greater risk and will exhibit more disruptive behavior the more they're plugged in to TV and toys."

To learn more about the effects of too much screen time and find ways to get your kids 'unplugged and playing,' visit:
http://www.checkyourhealth.org/Archive/screen_time.htm

Check Your Health is a partnership of the UDOH, Intermountain Healthcare, and KUTV 2 News Fresh Air.

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