Is digital addiction a reason for obesity?

Abstract

Aim: Technology dependency is increasing rapidly in the twenty-first century. As for technology dependency, television, computer, mobile phone, internet dependency come first. While rapid progress of technology simplifies our daily living, its misuse may cause psycho and physio-pathologic symptoms and obesity among children and teenagers. Technology dependence is an important public health problem. Measures against technology dependency are important. The objective of this research is to investigate the association between rapidly increasing internet addiction and obesity, a major health problem. Material and Methods: A total of 150 children aged between 11 and 18 years participated in the study from March to April 2018. Participants were informed of their height, weight, age, parental education and tested for internet addiction. Results: In this research there was no significant correlation between obesity and internet addiction. But as education levels of mothers increase, internet addiction levels also increase in children. Average internet addiction score of males is higher Conclusion: If time spent on internet and television reaches pathological levels then grave health consequences could be expected in our children. Families and youngsters should be educated about smart usage of internet to prevent damages of technology addiction and obesity upon mental and physical health. This education should be given before internet addiction begins.