Introduction

Convenience is commonplace in today's society. With the touch of a button, we can have food delivered to our doorstep, entertainment at our fingertips, and rides at our service. However, this newfound convenience has led to a more sedentary lifestyle, particularly among children. And this sedentary lifestyle has had detrimental effects on children's health, leading to a rise in childhood obesity. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at how technology has made children more sedentary and the dangers that this presents.

Technological disadvantages

1. Technology has replaced physical activity with screen time.

In the past, children would go outside to play with friends or engage in other physical activities. Nowadays, children are more likely to be found sitting in front of a screen playing video games or watching TV. According to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, American children spend an average of 7 hours per day onscreen. This increase in screen time has led to a decrease in physical activity, as children are now burning fewer calories than ever before. And with an influx of high-calorie processed foods readily available, it's no wonder that childhood obesity rates have quadrupled in the last 40 years.

2. Technology has contributed to the rise of sedentary jobs.

Due to advances in technology, many jobs that used to require manual labor can now be done with the click of a button. For example, thanks to online shopping and automated checkout machines, we no longer have to walk around grocery stores or lift heavy bags of groceries. As a result, people are burning fewer calories throughout the day and becoming more obese as a result. What's more, research suggests that this trend is only going to continue - with nearly half of all jobs expected to be automated by 2033 according to one study. Unless we find ways to increase physical activity levels, rising obesity rates will continue unchecked.

3. Technology has made us less active even when we're not working.

Even when we're not working, technology still encourages us to be less active. For instance, instead of taking a walk around the block or going for a run, we're now more likely to just sit on the couch and scroll through social media or binge-watch our favorite TV show. This lack of physical activity can have serious consequences for our health, including weight gain and an increased risk for developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

Conclusion

Technology has without a doubt made our lives more convenient. However, this convenience has also led us to lead more sedentary lifestyles - particularly among children. And this sedentary lifestyle has had harmful effects on our health, contributing to the rising obesity rates among both adults and children alike. If we want to combat obesity and live healthier lives, it's important that we find ways to increase physical activity levels and reduce screen time both at work and at home."

Source

"How Technology Has Made Children More Sedentary." blog post, Healthline, 6 Dec. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/health/how-technology-has-made-children-more-sedentary.