Kids in New Zealand are packing the pounds and fast becoming couch potatoes, according to a new international study conducted by the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand.

The institute found that more than a third of the New Zealand children are watching television at least 5 hours a day. New research has linked couch potato behaviour to New Zealand's increasing rate of childhood obesity.

The Kiwi institute studied 284,000 teenagers and children, including 5,800 young New Zealanders. Their findings revealed that children who watched more television are more likely to be overweight or obese.

The link between television and obesity was specifically strong among teenage girls who watch television for five straight hours daily. The institute also found children and teens sitting in front of the television for the most part of the day. Researchers said at least 32 per cent of children watch television between three and five hours of the day while 11 per cent sit in front of the TV for five hours or more.

According to the study, the findings are on top of other activities like playing video games and spending time updating social networks.

Lead study author Irene Braithwaite said it was alarming to know that a large number of Kiwi children are watching at least three hours or more of television. It was clear from the study that weight gain and prolonged watching of television were related.

Ms Briathwaite said parents need to be aware of how much time their children spend in front of the television. Among the 37 countries studied, New Zealand has the highest number of obese or overweight children.

According to the study, a quarter of young Kiwis are overweight based on Body Mass Index (BMI) which measures the amount of fat based on height and weight. Teenage girls who watch TV for five hours are 45 per cent more likely to be fat.

Ms Braithwaite said the study was the biggest research effort to explore the link between obesity and television-watching habits across wealthy and developing countries.

The new obesity study highlights the growing health problem especially among children. Mexico, the country with the highest number of obese children, had approved a junk food tax law to curb rising obesity rates.

The city is turning to its tax system to impose levies on sugary sodas and fatty foods reportedly resulting to more deaths than drug-related violence.

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