Is there a Connection Between Screen Time And Body Weight?

We live in a digital age in which it is nearly impossible to avoid digital screens due to the nature of our lifestyles. While we used to celebrate technological advancements and the convenience that digital devices brought to our lives, an increasing body of research points to the negative effects of excessive screen time on our mental and physical health.

Because their bodies and brains are still developing and they have poorer impulse control, children and toddlers face more serious health consequences. Childhood obesity, in particular, is one of the consequences of excessive screen time in young children that we simply cannot afford to ignore given its prevalence.

Excessive screen time

The total amount of time spent in front of digital screens in a day is referred to as "screen time". Young children nowadays are well-versed in a variety of devices. While TV and computers were once the only digital screens that children spent hours staring at, the rise of mobile devices has significantly increased the number of possible exposures. On buses, trains, and even in restaurants, children can be seen watching videos or playing games on their smartphones.

It's difficult to tell when screen time is excessive because most experts can't agree on a fixed duration spent on screens that qualifies as "too much". Due to the complexities of the effects of screen time, productive screen time (such as creating content, playing educational games, and chatting with others) should be viewed differently than passive screen time (such as mindless consumption of content or social media feeds). As a result, the general rule for determining when screen time is excessive is to consider not only the length of time spent, but also how the time was spent.

Consequences of excessive screen time

1º Physical inactivity

Stationary activities include watching videos and playing games on digital devices. When children spend too much time indoors with their devices instead of going outside to play or explore their surroundings, they miss out on valuable exercise time. A decrease in physical activity affects not only the number of calories burned but also the metabolic rate.

2º Getting less sleep

Screen time can eat into a child's sleep time, which can affect the child's metabolism. In the same way that it does in adults, a lack of sleep disrupts hormonal balance, causing a slowing of the metabolic rate. As a result, weight gain and obesity can occur.

Obesity in children can be caused by excessive screen time, but reversing the trend can help children lose weight. A study conducted in the United States discovered that children of primary school age benefited from a reduction in screen time as well as more control over the content they consumed. These children slept more, behaved better, were more sociable with their peers, performed better academically, but most importantly, gained less weight and were less likely to be obese.

3º Increases snacking

TV time is always regarded as a good time to crack open a bag of chips or chug some soft drinks. Because screen time is so indulgent, there are more opportunities for children to reach for snacks while engrossed in their screens. Snacks that children enjoy are frequently addictive, high in calories, and low in nutrient density.

4º Impaired social development

Interaction with parents, relatives, and other children teaches children how to socialize. When they spend more time interacting in a virtual environment, their social skills and ability to interpret nonverbal cues can suffer.

5º Mental health

While games and videos are entertaining, social media can be harmful to a child's mental health. Social media has been widely linked to lower self-esteem in youth, which increases the risk of depression and other mental health problems. Cyberbullying is another digital danger that can have a negative impact on a child's mental health. Indeed, as many as three out of every four local youth aged 13 to 19 have experienced some form of cyberbullying, indicating that this is a serious issue to be concerned about.

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Obesity Issues

1º Heart disease

Obesity is linked to high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. These increase the risk of developing heart disease and experiencing other heart-related problems such as heart attacks and strokes later in life.

2º Asthma

Asthma in young children is not uncommon, but obesity can contribute to asthma in children who do not naturally have it. Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways of the lungs, and there is a strong link between chronic asthma and obesity.

3º Diabetes

Diabetes affects children as young as five years old in Singapore. Childhood diabetes cases are on the rise, particularly type 2 diabetes, which has been strongly linked to obesity. This condition, which can be fatal, occurs when the body is unable to properly break down and absorb glucose.

4º Sleep disorders

Obesity can cause sleep disorders by increasing the likelihood of blocked airways while sleeping. This results in chronic conditions such as snoring and sleep apnoea, which can disrupt the quality and quantity of sleep a child receives at night. This then has an impact on his or her energy levels and concentration throughout the day.

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How to fight this problem?

Obesity in children is clearly caused by too much screen time, and obesity is a major problem that should not be overlooked. However, prohibiting your children from using digital gadgets would not be a smart approach because they would miss out on the inherent benefits. Furthermore, the majority of specialists think that some screen time is helpful for youngsters. As a result, a more practical answer is to restrict screen time and regulate usage, with parents playing a critical role in this regard.

1º Set screen time limits

Make use of your parental authority to set rules on screen time consumption. Set explicit limits on how much screen time your child gets per day and when they are allowed to use digital gadgets. It's a good idea to set time limits for when devices can be used and to limit each device to one at a time. For example, after finishing their homework, children can have one hour of TV time and half an hour of smartphone time.

2º Participate in the children's screen time sessions

The best way for a parent to control their child's screen time and ensure that it is spent productively rather than passively is to participate in their child's use of digital devices. Watching TV and playing computer or smartphone games with your child can help you determine whether or not he or she is fully engaged and learning from the content. You can also stimulate your child's cognitive processing centers by asking thought-provoking questions about what's on the screen.

3º Find a healthy hobby for your child

A lack of outdoor hobbies may encourage your child to stay in and engage in more screen time, so assist your child in finding an interest outside of their digital lives. Sports activities make excellent hobbies, so assist your child in discovering a sport that he or she enjoys. You can learn more about kid-friendly physical activities by visiting our Active Health Labs. Even if the hobby does not work out, your child will be able to meet new people and spend time socializing with other children rather than being glued to a screen.

4º Plan family activities

Plan regular family activities to allow your child to spend more time outside and with other people. Explore new places and attend community events such as art classes or children's museum exhibits. Family activities will show your child that there is a world beyond the digital realm!

Overcoming obesity caused by excessive screen time requires balance and parental involvement. Screen time should be viewed as a lifestyle activity rather than something that consumes all of your child's time. From a young age, get your child used to living with regulated amounts of screen time; this not only prevents childhood obesity, but also ensures good long-term physical and mental health.

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