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Learn what parents need to know about rising obesity in children due to constant exposure to social media
Uncovering and understanding a child’s genetic makeup helps healthcare providers to assess the risks and implement targeted interventions in the early stages of life
A sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, and increased screen time are all contributing factors to the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity in children worldwide. Dr Ashish Gautam, Senior Director, Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery, Max Super Speciality Hospital Patparganj shares all you need to know:
1. Exposure to Unhealthy Food Ads: Social media platforms frequently promote ads for unhealthy foods, such as sugary snacks, fast food, and soft drinks. These ads target children and create a desire for junk food, leading to poor dietary choices.
2. Increased Screen Time: Social media use often leads to prolonged screen time, which is associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Less physical activity combined with increased screen time contributes significantly to obesity.
3. Peer Pressure and Social Comparison: Social media fosters an environment where children compare themselves to their peers and influencers. This can lead to unhealthy eating habits, as children may overeat due to feelings of inadequacy or stress from social pressures.
4. Influencer and Celebrity Endorsements: Many influencers and celebrities promote unhealthy food choices or lifestyles on social media. Children who follow these figures may emulate their behaviours, believing that consuming unhealthy foods is normal or trendy.
5. Promotion of “Food Challenges”: Social media platforms often promote viral trends, such as “food challenges,” where children are encouraged to consume large quantities of unhealthy food. This normalizes overeating and unhealthy eating habits among young users.
6. Disrupted Sleep Patterns: Social media usage, particularly before bed, can lead to poor sleep habits. Lack of adequate sleep affects hunger regulation hormones, leading to overeating and a higher likelihood of obesity.
7. Cyberbullying and Emotional Eating: Negative interactions or bullying on social media can lead children to develop emotional eating habits. They may turn to food for comfort in response to feelings
of sadness, anxiety, or stress, contributing to weight gain.
8. Encouraging Mindless Snacking: Social media platforms, through continuous scrolling or watching videos, can lead to mindless snacking. Children may snack excessively while engaged with content without realizing how much they are eating, leading to overconsumption.
9. Reduced Parental Control and Awareness: Parents may not be fully aware of the content their children are exposed to on social media. This lack of supervision can lead to children being influenced by unhealthy food trends and behaviours without parental guidance on making healthy choices.
Each of these causes can contribute to unhealthy habits and lifestyle choices that increase the risk of childhood obesity. Parents need to be aware of several key aspects regarding how social media influences childhood obesity and take proactive steps to manage their child’s online habits. Here’s what parents should know:
A. Monitor Social Media Content: Parents should be actively involved in the content their children are exposed to on social media. This includes being aware of food advertisements, influencers promoting unhealthy habits, and any food challenges that might encourage overeating. Setting appropriate privacy settings and using parental controls can help limit exposure to harmful content.
B. Encourage Balanced Screen Time: Excessive screen time contributes to a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to obesity. Parents should set limits on the amount of time children spend on social media or other screen-based activities and encourage outdoor play or physical activities instead.
C. Promote Healthy Eating Habits: Social media often normalizes unhealthy eating, but parents can counteract this by modeling healthy eating behaviours. Stocking the home with nutritious snacks and involving children in meal planning and cooking can help develop better food choices. It’s also important to educate children about how social media often portrays unrealistic or unhealthy food habits.
D. Set a Good Example: Children are highly influenced by the behaviours of their parents. Parents should set a positive example by engaging in regular physical activity, eating balanced meals, and demonstrating mindful eating habits. This can help install a healthy attitude toward food and exercise.
E. Discuss the Impact of Social Media on Body Image: Social media can create unrealistic beauty standards, leading to body dissatisfaction. It’s crucial for parents to have open discussions with their children about how social media often portrays unrealistic ideals and to focus on self-esteem and body positivity. Encourage children to appreciate their bodies for what they can do, rather than how they look.
F. Encourage Physical Activity: Beyond limiting screen time, parents should encourage physical activities that are fun and engaging for their children. This might include team sports, dance, swimming, or even family walks. Physical activity should be seen as a positive and enjoyable part of daily life.
G. Be Mindful of Emotional Eating: Social media can contribute to emotional eating, especially when children encounter bullying or feel inadequate. Parents should be vigilant about emotional well-being and create a supportive environment where children feel comfortable discussing their feelings. This can reduce the temptation to use food as a coping mechanism.
H. Set Screen-Free Zones: Establishing certain areas of the home as screen-free zones (such as the dining room or bedrooms) can help reduce mindless snacking while using social media. Encouraging mealtime conversations can also foster better relationships and healthier eating habits.
I. Educate Children About Healthy Choices: Teach children how to critically evaluate the content they see on social media. Help them understand the difference between authentic content and marketing designed to sell unhealthy products. Encourage them to be mindful of their choices and think about how what they see online might impact their health.
By being aware of these factors, parents can create a healthier balance between social media use and physical well-being, reducing the risk of childhood obesity.
