During the past 20 years, the number of obese and overweight children has rapidly risen. One contributor to these climbing rates is the prevalence of technology and media that promotes sedentary behavior. Children spend a lot of time in front of the television, playing video games, and researching and learning on the computer. Technology provides value, convenience and entertainment, but it should not take the place of movement and active play.
Significance
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 10 percent of preschool age children and 15 percent of 6- to 19-year olds, can be considered overweight. Twice as many are on the brink of this statistic, making childhood obesity a societal epidemic. In addition to eating more processed, high calorie foods, active play has been supplanted by technology. Parents drive children to school instead of letting them walk. Kids ride motorized cars and scooters rather than pedal bikes. Teens manipulate a joystick instead of a baseball bat. The television has become a constant companion, replacing outside play.
Effects
Overweight children risk developing chronic health conditions once reserved for aging populations. Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, and cholesterol and joint problems are now appearing in young overweight populations. Overweight and obese children tend to grow into obese adults, placing an undue burden on the health care system.
Expert Insight
The role of technology in childhood obesity is not just a matter of speculation. More than 40 studies have been conducted on the matter, and many indicate that the availability of technology contributes to a sedentary lifestyle and weight gain in children. A Canadian study conducted in 2003 and published in the "International Journal of Obesity" linked 7- to 11-year-olds' television and computer use to a significantly increased risk to being overweight or obese. The study found that children who spent 3 or more hours a day in front of technology had between a 17- and 44-percent increase of risk of being overweight, or a 10- to 61-percent increase risk in obesity.
Prevention/Solution
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) supports recommendations made by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, the United States Department of Agriculture and the U.S. National Institutes of Health that children get at least an hour of moderate exercise a day. Exercise does not have to be formal and structured---playing outside at the playground, engaging in sports or splashing in the pool all qualify as moderate exercise for kids. ACSM also recommends that children spend no more than 2 hours in technology-related endeavors.
Considerations
A sedentary, video game-filled lifestyle is not the sole reason children suffer from obesity. Foods high in calories and low in nutrients attract children. Advertisements for such foods air often during their television programs. Many school lunch programs fail to address proper nutrition, overworked parents give in to fast food dinners and snacks, and nutrition education is nearly non-existent. Until our society addresses all issues contributing to childhood obesity, the trend is likely to continue.
Member Comments