How Technology Contributes to Obesity in Children

children and technology obesity Jul 25, 2018

by editorial team and Sophia Ruan Gushée

 

Is Technology to Blame for Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is a primary concern worldwide, including in America. One in six children struggles with being overweight, and are at risk for developing a range of health issues, such as:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Bone and Joint Problems
  • Asthma
  • Low Self-Esteem
  • Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes

Multiple reasons play a role in childhood obesity. Examples include poor diets, genetics, and environmental factors.

Insufficient physical exercise is important, of course. Various trends have contributed to kids being more sedentary. One, for example, is that schools have traded recess for more instruction time. Second, technology has influenced more sedentary behavior.

The National Center for Biotechnical Information (NCBI) reports sedentary behavior as a primary cause of decreased physical activity. Watching television, playing video games, and other screen time activities increase the risk of obesity in children.

  • Children who watch television for 3+ hours daily have a 65% higher risk of obesity than children who watch less than 1 hour a day
  • The average child or adolescent spends 8 hours daily engaging in sedentary behaviors

Technology use decreases physical activity and outdoor time exposes kids to junk-food advertising and can disrupt sleep. Any of these factors singly, or in combination, can increase the risk of obesity.

 

Increased Sitting Time

Increased time in front of the television was linked to increased obesity twenty-five years ago in a Harvard study. Studies have shown that children who have TV sets in their bedrooms are more likely to gain weight.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published their Planet Health study, which used middle school classroom lessons to decrease TV viewing and consumption of high-fat foods, and increase fruit and vegetable intake and moderate and vigorous physical activity.

The Planet Health study found a significant decrease in obesity among girls in the intervention schools versus girls in the control schools (there was no significant change in obesity for boys). These results cumulatively show that this type of intervention can reduce obesity and increase healthy food consumption in girls. The study also showed that reduced hours watching TV for girls can predict reduction in obesity.

 

Screen Time Exposes Kids to Advertisements for Junk Food

There could be a stocked refrigerator filled with nutritious treats, but it's useless if your child avoids healthy treats for junk food.

Some children’s programs advertise low-nutrient foods that are high in fat, sodium, and artificial sugars, colors, and preservatives. The researched marketing is designed to tempt your child with junk food. 

The American Association of Pediatrics studied preschoolers' massive exposure to food advertisements on television and “eating in the absence of hunger.” The AAP recommends no screen time for children under 18 months of age, and only one hour a day for kids aged 2-5. This recommendation is partially intended to limit sedentary activity and mindless snacking. Mindless snacking in front of a screen can begin as young as two years of age.

 

Technology Disrupts Sleep

TVs in the bedroom are problematic. Kids stay up too late watching shows. And any digital screens can disrupt sleep through blue-light their exposures, which can undermine the quality and duration of sleep.

Sleep deprivation alters the hunger hormones ghrelin and leptin. On average, a sleep-deprived person will consume an average of 300 extra calories daily usually from high-fat foods.

 

Balancing the Good and the Bad of Technology for Optimal Health

Technology improves the quality of children’s lives in many ways, but regulation is key. Parents should make sure that their kids are getting enough physical exercise, eating nutritious foods, and sleeping well to improve the likelihood that children can be within the recommended body mass index (BMI) for their age.

Stay connected with nontoxic lifestyle news and updates!

Receive our free Ruan Living Nontoxic Cleaning Guide when you join our email list.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.

We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.

About Ruan Living

Ruan Living simplifies a nontoxic lifestyle through its Practical Nontoxic Living podcast, free detox workshops, online D-Tox Academy, and transformative 40-Day Home Detox. It aims to help you avoid toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from what you buy, own, and do— without compromising your joy and convenience. Ruan was founded by Sophia Ruan Gushée, author of the bestselling critically acclaimed book A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Your Toxic Exposures and several detox workbooks. A graduate of Brown University and Columbia Business School, Sophia has served on the Brown University School of Public Health Advisory Council and Well+Good Council. A popular nontoxic living speaker, consultant, and teacher, Sophia lives in New York City with her husband and three daughters. Her passion for empowering others to enjoy nontoxic living began with the birth of her first daughter in 2007. Everything she creates is a love letter to her children and for the healthiest, brightest future possible. You can learn more here: Sophia’s Impact.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. This information is provided “as is” without warranty.

It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. We do not offer medical advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other opinion on your conditions or treatment options. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Ruan Living.

In no event will Sophia Ruan Gushee or Ruan Living be liable for any damages or loss of any kind resulting from the use of this website. Anyone relying upon or making use of the information on this website does so at his or her own risk.

Some of the services and products recommended on this website provide compensation to Sophia Ruan Gushee or Ruan Living. All recommendations are based foremost upon an honest belief that the product, service, or site will benefit our site visitors in some way.  

Detox Your Inbox

Easy tips, podcasts, workshops, updates, and more!

SIGN UP

For You

40-Day Home Detox

Book

Blog

D-Tox Academy

Engage

Podcast

Shop

Ruan Living

Our Mission

Sophia Ruan Gushée

Corporate Wellness

D-Tox Academy

Engage

Events

Press

Testimonials

Stay In Touch

[email protected]