A recent study found that watching television while eating puts children at risk of obesity. The research team from Minho University in Portugal stated that television and tablets distract children from feeling full, leading them to consume more food. The study, which included approximately 735 children aged 6 to 10 years, revealed that spending time in front of smartphone screens during meals increases the risk of weight gain by 15%.
The study's author, Dr. Ana Duarte, explained, "When children eat while watching a show on television or a mobile phone, they do not realize when they should stop eating, and they continue to eat simply because the television or phone distracts them." She continued, "This is bad for society and dangerous for children, as it leads to weight gain or obesity."
At the European Obesity Conference in Venice, researchers noted that the results may not accurately reflect reality, as some parents may not admit to allowing their children to use phones or watch television during daily meals. Tam Fry, chairman of the Child Growth Foundation, stated, "Family meals have become a forgotten memory. It is clear that allowing children to eat mindlessly while using their phones or in front of the television harms their health."
It is also noted that spending too much time watching television or using smartphones is linked to other health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and lack of sleep.
