The Fat Problem

Not televisions or videogames but the way of transportation is the main culprit behind childhood obesity. The profounder of this belief is a Stuart Biddle, professor of exercise and sport psychology at Loughborough University. Biddle has come up with this belief after studying more than 1,500 kids between the ages 12 to 16 years of age. During the course of study, he found that teenagers who spent more time than average in front of the television were just as active as those who do not. In his words: If you look at the decline in walking and cycling among children, it is far more dramatic than any changes in TV watching trends. Biddle’s statement that instead of cycles kids are transported to their residences through cars, buses, etc. is no doubt, correct. However, to say that this is the only cause behind childhood obesity won’t be right. Moreover,saying that televisions and videogames have nothing to do with childhood obesity seems somewhat unbelievable. There can be given many reason to prop this view, first, kids’ more interest in watching televisions, playing videogames prevents them from participating in outdoor games. Secondly, unrestrained television viewing prompts heavy consumption of calorie intake, which studies have also proved. These few examples prove that to some extent televisions and videogames are responsible for nurturing childhood obesity. Moreover, several studies have associated televisions and videogames with several psychological problems too, which we can’t keep a blind eye to. For instance:- About television � Television ‘harms’ children’s health � TELEVISION ADVERTISING LEADS TO UNHEALTHY HABITS IN CHILDREN About videogames � Video games ‘increase aggression’ � The Impact of Video Games on Children � The Violent Side of Video Games In brief, letting televisions and videogames go scot-free won’t be correct. Image credit: Buehlers Via: Post chronicle