3.+Physical+Health+Factors

** Physical Health Related Concerns from the Use of Technology **

Children are exposed to a wide variety of electronic gadgets, and technology for many has become a way of life. On average, by the time a student turns 21 years old, they will have played 10,000 hours of video games, sent/received 200,000 emails, watched over 20,000 hours of TV, and talked on their cell phones for over 10,000 hours (Gould, 2010). So how does technology impact a child physiologically? Are there any short term or long term effects on them?  This is the emerging world of our children; their world has become digital, virtual, and global. As a result, children, ages 5-18, have been developing a wide variety of health-related complications through overuse of technology. The most obvious issue facing inactive/sedentary children using technology is obesity. Teens today are less active and more overweight than ever. But does it really matter? Believe it or not, it does. Not only does it pose short term heath risks, but being obese or overweight as a teen can even shorten one's lifespan by several years. Teens today are increasingly sedentary, according to a recent US Health and Human Services report. In fact, says the report, more than 14 percent of adolescents are considered overweight, while an additional 15 percent are at risk for the condition. Overweight and obese teens are more likely to have diabetes, hypertension and other conditions which were previously considered to be adult diseases. And, says an American Medical Network report, even normal weight teens who maintain a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to have high blood pressure (Atkinson). 

The cause of teen obesity is generally lack of physical activity combined with unhealthy eating habits. We have become a very sedentary society, especially for children. We spend hours sitting in front of computers, video games, and/or televisions. One survey showed 43% of adolescents watched more than two hours of television per day. Daily physical education has been eliminated from a lot of schools. More children are "latchkey" children who, while waiting for parents to come home from work, sit and watch TV or play video games. In a January report to the //Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),// Dr. William Dietz, Director of the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity concluded "of all the ways of tackling this problem, technology reduction appears to be the most effective measure in reducing weight gain in this population”(Belluck). Although obesity is the most obvious complication resulting from the overuse of technology, young children are more at risk to develop many other disorders as well; these include Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, Hyper-activity Disorder, High Blood Pressure, as well as sleep problems. Sadly, this list is not all inclusive as various other health concerns are a possibility as well. Other physical ailments from the overuse of technology include: vision and hearing problems, back problems resulting from poor posture, computer stress injuries, hurting hands and carpal tunnel syndrome. The key to minimizing and even preventing children from acquiring these health disorders and impairments requires there to be balance in the child’s life. Although there are various healthy fitness games to play on their computers, it is best that children are physically active away from any technology. Young people are encouraged to participate in 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic physical activity every day, ideally at least six days a week. Additionally, children should engage in various activities that develop their flexibility, muscular strength, and endurance. Even when children at the computer, they should perform various stretching exercises every 10 to 15 minutes. They should even consider standing while on the computer.

Recent reports from public health organizations have concluded that if children are given appealing places to play, it increases their participation and as a result their health was markedly improved. Young people are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities which include: jogging, aerobics, hiking, swimming, skate park, racquetball, volley ball, tennis, or any other sport activities. Additionally there are classes in dance, Zumba, gymnastics, karate, etc. There are even youth baseballs, football basketball, and soccer teams to join. The idea is to choose something fun and get moving, dancing, jumping, climbing, walking, or skating.