OBESITY IN ADOLESCENTS

OBESITY IN ADOLESCENTS: How the use of technology influences?

The mobile phone is increasingly present in the children and adolescents´ daily life, its use is growing to the detriment of other digital devices, such as game consoles, tablets or computers. The use of mobile phones to chat or play is a sedentary activity that can promote overweight and obesity.

Is it possible to achieve rational use among teenagers? How can we do it? Experts in Obesity offer us useful advice.

Obesity has experienced continuous growth in those under 25 years of age since 2000 and, although it seems that in recent years it has stabilized, the current figures are very high: it affects 11.7% in boys and 9, 4% of girls between 3 and 24 years old, while overweight amounts to 28% and 19.1%, respectively.

Factors that influence the relationship between mobile and obesity

• During the time children spend using the devices they eat more and tend to eat food even if they are not hungry.

• While they are using mobile phones, they usually eat more caloric and less nutritious foods.

• During the use of digital devices they receive information that can accentuate the consumption of those unhealthy foods.

They reduce sleep time because they go to bed later and thereby alter the hormones related to appetite, which makes during that time they should be sleeping become hungrier and eat more.

Obesity_Teens02_Guma_Pharma

Recommendations for Screen Usage

The first step to eliminate or at least to reduce the negative effects of the use of screens in the youngest is to limit them the time spent using the mobile and other devices. These are the recommendations for maximum daily exposure according their age:

• 0-2 years: no screens.

• 3-5 years: 1 hour.

• 6-12 years: 2 hours.

• 13-18 years: 2 hours.

Experts also give guidelines for a more rational use of mobile:

• Parents can agree with their children a plan that sets how much time they spend on the devices and at what time of day.

Avoid using screens two hours before going to sleep, as they interfere with the quality of sleep.

Lead by example. A father or mother who uses the cell phone properly will serve as a model for their children.

• In general terms, it is not recommended that children under 14 have their own mobile phone. Thereafter, Lurbe proposes to share with them the expenses generated by their possession so that they are aware that their enjoyment «involve effort and responsibility»; allowance reduction

For more information, visit your doctor; not self-medicate; or write us.