Introduction

In today's world, it's hard to imagine life without smartphones. They've become integral parts of our lives, and for many of us, they're our primary source of entertainment. However, new research is showing that there may be a downside to all this screen time. A recent study has found that university students who use their smartphones for five or more hours a day are at an increased risk for obesity.

The Study

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Columbia and involved 4,745 young adults between the ages of 18 and 30. The participants were asked to answer questions about their lifestyle habits, including how much time they spent on their smartphones. The findings showed that 43% of those who used their phones for five or more hours a day were obese, compared to only 27% of those who used their phones for two hours or less per day.

What's even more concerning is that the study also found that those who spent a lot of time on their phones were also more likely to have other lifestyle habits that increase the risk of heart disease. These include eating unhealthy foods, not getting enough exercise, and smoking cigarettes.

The Dangers of Obesity

Obesity is a major health concern because it increases the risk for a variety of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. In fact, Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. If we want to reduce our risk for obesity and all the health problems that come with it, we need to be aware of the things that contribute to it. And as this new research shows, too much time spent on our smartphones may be one of those things.

Conclusion

This new study provides important insights into the potential health hazards of smartphone usage. We all need to be aware of the dangers of spending too much time on our phones and take steps to limit our screen time. If we don't, we may be putting ourselves at risk for obesity and other chronic health conditions.

Source

"University Students at Increased Risk for Obesity if They Use Smartphones for Five or More Hours a Day." Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, Ltd., 5 Dec. 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318427.php