Technology has almost become a family member for most of us. We use smartphones, TVs, laptops, tablets, and other gadgets in order to stay connected, work, and relax. Since they see their parents on the laptop all the time, children tend to spend more and more screen time. We all know that there are some consequences to this problem.
Previous studies showed that children that spend too much screen time have a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese. A new study goes even further. It shows that there might be a connection between screen time and diabetes. Although it might seem like a long shot, researchers believe that children who spend too much screen time are more likely to develop diabetes.
The Effects of Spending Too Much Screen Time
This research was conducted by scientists at the University of London. They analyzed more than 4,400 9 and 10-year olds. Researchers observed that 1 in 5 children spend more than 3 hours in front of screens. They also saw that these kids were heavier. The ones that are more likely to spend more screen time were boys.
The team of researchers mentioned that heavier children have a higher chance of developing insulin resistance. This means that they might have higher levels of blood sugar. Over time, these levels can increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers believe that kids should spend less time watching TV or playing video games.
“Our findings suggest reducing screen time may be beneficial in reducing type 2 diabetes risk factors,” mentioned the leader of the study, Dr. Claire Nightingale.
In order to be healthy and to avoid disease, children need to spend more time outside, away from any type of screen. This way they can also develop their social and emotional skills. Kids who tend to spend more time playing on the computer or checking their smartphone are less likely to have many friends. This is because they tend to be more isolated than others.
Many studies showed that spending too much screen time is not beneficial for children and adults. Besides the fact that it can increase the chance of obesity and disease, it also increases the feeling of isolation.
What is your opinion about this study? Do you think that it is healthy to spend so much time on the computer?
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