Television and Health
Introduction
Background
Lee De Forest
Image from Wikipedia
In 1926, Lee De Forest, a highly credited American inventor who is considered father of the radio, made a bold statement that, “commercially and financially, [television] is an impossibility, a development of which we need waste little time dreaming" (Cerf and Navasky Par. 14). After 90 years, it is clear that De Forest’s prediction was incorrect; television is one of the most influential inventions to date. Various inventers from the 1800s had a part in the creation of television, but it was officially introduced in the 1900s. Throughout history, television has had numerous impactful roles in society. During the 1980s and 1990s, television programs such as The Cosby Show and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air helped to curtail color barriers as these programs portray affluent, hard-working, and highly respected African Americans. Today, one of the major controversies of television is its impact on the health of individuals.
Our Goal
The argument between the relationship of television viewing and one’s health is comprised of various components. Some studies indicate a negative correlation between the two factors, as television viewing increases, overall health decreases. Other studies display contradictory results. The most effective experimental studies about the correlation of television viewing and health takes into account multiple factors, such as age, race, gender, and socio-economical background. The goal of this website is to explain and justify how television motivates adults to live healthier lifestyles through main character roles, educational television programs, and exercise campaigns.