Call it child imitating adult. And the price is rapidly increasing obesity. But the study noted there was little basis for kids' complaints such as lack of time. The youngsters, it seems, are spending more of their time propped up in front of the television or firing away at video games. In the U.S., where kids watch an average of four hours of TV every day, the habit has already been linked to poor performance in school and childhood obesity.
Obesity is one of the most serious health problems facing the youth of Asia.
The trend is replicated in communities from Kuala Lumpur to Manila and Beijing, and it is particularly marked among boys. Asian parents are beginning to shift away from the traditional notion that a chubby youngster is a more robust one. But if mom and dad reckon the solution is to get their child to eat less, they should think harder. Of course, a balanced diet is important - more fruit and vegetables, less fatty foods such as potato crisps and fried snacks. But being fat is probably due as much to a lack of exercise as to over-eating.