Childhood obesity is a growing concern worldwide. But in New Zealand it’s a particularly pressing issue. With one of the highest rates in the OECD, about one in three New Zealand children are overweight or obese. Obesity in children can lead to severe health issues that persist into adulthood. While many factors contribute to childhood obesity – such as diet, physical activity and genetics – one often-overlooked factor is screen time. Children are constantly surrounded by devices such as TVs, tablets and smartphones, and screen time has become a normal part of daily life. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Paediatrics both suggest preschool-aged children should have no more than one hour of screen time daily. But many young children in New Zealand and overseas are spending significantly more time on screens, with many regularly surpassing these guidelines. Our new study explored how simple family screen time rules could reduce childhood obesity risk. Our work revealed ways parents and policymakers can tackle this growing challenge. Screens and the risk of obesity Excessive …