How much is too much television?

Kiwis are watching more than three hours of television a day but parents are being encouraged to switch it off and get their children involved in physical activities instead.

A survey from Nielsen shows Kiwis' total television watching has increased over the past decade.

Across the board, average TV minutes have risen more than 20 per cent, from 168 minutes in 2000 to 202 minutes a day in 2010.

Readers who voted in a poll by The Daily Post revealed most people watched just one to two hours of TV a day at 41 per cent, 25 per cent watched two to three hours and 25 per cent watched more than three hours.

Less than 8 per cent didn't watch TV at all.

Rotorua early childhood co-ordinator for Sport Bay of Plenty Kirsty Carling was concerned that if children were inside watching TV, it meant they weren't out getting their daily recommended exercise.

"Children are living more sedentary lives and TV is a sedentary activity," she said.

Ms Carling, who provides workshops on physical development and movement for local families, said it was important for children to be involved in regular physical activity.

Rotorua Area Primary Health Services clinical leader for child health Dr Neil Poskitt said children tended to watch far too much TV.

"Children need physical activity, it's really important for their physical health."

Rotorua psychologist Katrina Allison said it was socially acceptable in many ways to just watch TV.

"Children from a very young age are perhaps encouraged to watch the screen more so than engage in sports in some families."

She said there was also a huge socio-economic component.

"TV is relatively 'free' as compared to spending money on sports equipment or joining clubs."

Meanwhile, Rotorua Visique optometrist Tony Bland dispelled the rumours that watching too much TV would affect your eyesight. He said excessive TV watching didn't necessarily make your eyesight worse.

"It's mostly about comfort. A lot of people have their eyes checked for clarity but the issue with TV is that you tend to stare a lot which leads to dry eyes and discomfort."