Excessive contact with the screen - the culprit leads to obesity
"Excessive screen use time is becoming the leading risk factor leading to obesity in modern children," warned Dr. Amar Bhise, pediatric expert at Gleneagles Global Hospital, Mumbai (India).
According to Mr. Bhise, children spend many hours a day watching videos, playing games often live in a sedentary lifestyle, accompanied by uncontrolled snacking habits, especially sugar -rich foods.
A study published in PLOS One magazine, based on data of more than 29,000 teenagers, indicates that the group of children using screens for more than an hour a day has a higher risk of overweight and obesity. At the same time, PediaTrics magazine also confirmed a clear relationship between the use of the screen for more than two hours a day and the percentage of overweight children.
Consequences do not stop at weight. If not controlled in time, obesity in young children can lead to cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and psychological disorders in adolescence.
Slowly speaking, lack of interaction
Not only affects the physical, the use of excessive electronics also inhibits the language development in young children. Instead of communicating directly with parents or friends, children gradually depend on passive content from the screen.
A study by the South African Language and Hearing Association shows that children spend a lot of electronic devices at risk of speaking slowly and underdeveloped vocabulary. Dr. Amar Bhise emphasized: "When children are not stimulated by direct interactions, the brain will be restricted in the acquisition and language reflexes - the core to build social communication ability."
In addition, children are also more likely to have difficulties in understanding non -language signals such as eyes, facial expressions or intonation - important life skills but cannot be learned through the screen.
To solve these problems, parents should:
Set clear regulations on equipment use time (maximum 2 hours/day as recommended by WHO).
Set up "non -screen areas" such as dining tables, bedrooms or shared living hours.
Encourage children to exercise outdoors, participate in sports, group activities.
Create conditions for children to explore healthy hobbies such as reading, drawing, playing musical instruments.
Most importantly: Parents must set an example by limiting equipment, prioritizing real time for their children.
