A new study shows millions of children and teenagers could be damaging their health by watching too much television. 
 
Those who sit in front of the TV for more than two hours a day are at higher risk of smoking, gaining excess weight and having high cholesterol as adults.

Their cardiovascular fitness – a measure of how well the heart works - is also more likely to be poor at the age of 26.

Scientists in New Zealand who carried out the study urge parents to limit their children's TV viewing to a maximum of two hours a day.

Ideally, youngsters should be rationed to less than an hour a day. 

(CRI July 17, 2004)