subject: Are Children Under The Influence? [print this page] Fathers are the major influence on their children's choice of a favorite sports team. That's according to a study done at Murray State University. When grown-ups were asked who had "the greatest single influence" when you picked your first sports team, 38.7% of men said it was their father. Brother(s) - 10.7% was the second most popular answer for men, followed by friends - 10.1%. As for women, 31.3% answered their father. For women the second most popular answer was school - 14.6%, followed by friends - 7.1%. It seems children connect with their fathers by sharing a team. Rooting becomes "teamwork".
Outdoor play has been linked to better eyesight. In a study presented to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, researchers analyzed 8 previous studies involving more than 10,000 children and adolescents. They found that nearsighted children spent an average of 4 fewer hours outdoors per week than children who were farsighted or had normal vision. It seems nearsightedness could be caused by insufficient UV radiation, insufficient physical activity or less time looking into the distance. More research is necessary to determine how much outdoor time is necessary; but considering 42% of Americans are nearsighted, increasing children's outdoor play seems "farsighted". Children and teenagers are seeing more ads for soda than ever before. A report from the Yale University Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity found children's exposure to full-calorie soda ads on television doubled from 2008 to 2010. In 2010 teens saw 18% more television ads and heard 46% more radio ads for energy drinks than adults did. Then there's the computer. Twenty-one sugary drink brands have YouTube channels. Considering 8 ounces of a full-calorie fruit drink have 110 calories and 7 teaspoons of sugar - the same as in 8 ounces of soda or an energy drink - the calories "ad" up.
Rap, R&B and hip-hop music promote drinking. According to a study published in the journal Addiction, for every hour American teens listen to music, they hear more than 3 references to brand-name alcohol. Eight percent of rap songs mentioned alcohol in 1979. By 1997 it was 44%. At the same time brand name-drops rose from 46% to 71%. Many of the brands in lyrics are those named favorite by underage drinkers - especially girls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42% of high school students drank and 24% binge drank in 2009. That is not music to parents' ears.
by: Knight Pierce Hirst
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