This just in: Children or adults, for that matter, who watch more than two hours of television nightly, are at a greater risk to incur myriad health problems, namely obesity.

The study out of London is the first to track a group from birth to adulthood, and has paralleled several adverse health conditions linked to those who stay in tune to the tube for extended times.

The report suggests that television viewing during childhood has &uot;serious long-term consequences,&uot; reads a Virginian-Pilot article which references the report published in The Lancet on Friday.

Go figure. Children today are seemingly the laziest of any generation. Far gone are the days of after-school chores and summers filled with activity. Between Nickelodeon and Playstations at every child’s eye level and fingertips, parents and the medical community are fighting a losing battle if they don’t start demanding change.

First of all, parents must again assume their rightful place. Don’t ask, but insist that children participate in other regimens that facilitate good health. When all is said and done, we have parents to blame for the dominant role television plays in the lives of children.

Of course, we could argue about commercials that promote the value of super-sizing everything imaginable, but our kids wouldn’t see them if they were not in front of the television. All told, there isn’t much left on television suitable for young audiences anyway.

This is all the more reason to turn the television off and get some exercise. Who knows, the next study may read something like this. &uot;Kids who get plenty of exercise and participate in other multi-faceted activities have no time or interest in television.&uot;