Is broadband contributing to childhood obesity

The level of obesity amongst youngsters in Britain has become a grave concern over recent years, and there are now suggestions that technology such as broadband may be partly responsible for this situation.

These days we rarely see youngsters playing in the park or spending time out with their friends any longer, as many of them are cooped up in their bedrooms using their home broadband connections to contact their friends through email, webcam, and social networking sites. It has been suggested that technology such as broadband and a variety of gadgets is making children lazy and more inclined to just sit at home, which means that they are rarely active.

Over recent years there have been rising concerns over the level of obesity amongst youngsters in the UK, and reports have claimed that advanced technology is partly responsible for the inactive lifestyles that kids have these days, which is leading to them eating more and exercising less. Whereas in the past kids used to go and play in the park or even in the garden these days many sit in their rooms eating, drinking, and spending time online or playing games.

In addition to broadband other things that have been blamed for increasing the risk of obesity are games consoles, mobile phones, and television, all of which can result in kids being less active, making them more prone to put on weight.

One official from the Children’s Society said: “For many children, particularly in urban areas, there is virtually nothing that encourages them to be active. Lots of parents send their children off to their rooms where there is a PlayStation and a TV, and the children become less fit and less inclined to be active.”

Source – Littleabout