How Technology is Keeping Us Out of Shape
by Ann Mulderig
Society at large is too inactive — people often don’t meet physical activity guidelines for good health. Statistics warn us that just one in three kids are active on a given day, and only one out of every three adults exercises enough to meet minimum recommendations.
Gadgets like Fitbits are meant to keep us more active, and there’s no shortage of apps that track everything from the length of time we exercise to the number of calories we consume. But technology often negatively impacts health instead.
If you’re from a generation that was not defined by the Internet and cell phones, you can probably think back to a childhood where a large portion of your free time was spent playing tag with friends in the backyard or maybe playing games of hide and seek in the woods near your home.
Today, however, kids are being lured away from exercise by video games that encourage sedentary behavior. Here’s how technology hurts our health.
Active Video Games Can Be Helpful in Some Cases
Fortunately, some video game developers are taking steps to offer products that help kids support their love of gaming but stay active too.
A study by researchers at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville indicated that so-called “active video games” — like the Wii Fit — can help kids from five to eight years old engage in moderate to intensive forms of exercise more frequently than they might by just participating in unstructured outdoor play.
However, the researchers aren’t suggesting video games are a suitable type of exercise all the time. They want to reinforce the idea that some kinds of games are more beneficial than others for helping kids stay active.
Armed with this knowledge, parents planning to buy their child a video game will opt for an active one.
Technology Might Discourage Deep Thinking
In addition to indicating that technology makes kids less likely to participate in physical activity, some evidence suggests technology makes us less prone to critical thinking and problem solving. Technology might be detrimental to not just physical activity, but mental sharpness.
A research team from the University of Waterloo in Canada has found data which indicates people who are highly intelligent rely on logic to work out problems, and that they often second-guess their first conclusions.
In contrast, those who act on instinct rather than logic were more likely to use their smartphones to look up data.
The technology offered by smartphones puts a world of information at our fingertips.
Instead of engaging in debates with friends and forming personal opinions about hot topics, we might just go online through smartphones and see what ideas have already been posed.
Staring at Screens Can Adversely Affect Many Areas of Life
Experts have studied the lifestyles of kids who spend a lot of time looking at smartphone and computer screens and concluded they may be likely to deal with more obstacles.
For example, a preoccupation with technology may mean a child sacrifices time that would have been spent doing schoolwork. Kids may also be so distracted by technology that they stay up too late and don’t get enough sleep.
When time for slumber gets shortened, kids can potentially be less physically and mentally competent during the day. Also, people who are tired are often more emotional and less able to make rational decisions.
Technology Might Reduce Meaningful Connections
The next time you go to a restaurant, look at how many people are sitting at tables engrossed in tablets and phones, even if they are in the company of others. You’ll probably notice faces illuminated by glowing screens.
Some people might argue technology keeps them from getting bored, but it might also be true that devices prevent them from having to interact with others.
This reality is another argument for the idea that technology is making us more out of shape than previous generations.
Of course, sometimes technology can be worthwhile because it allows us to connect with people from other states or countries, especially on social media. However, technology can also be used as a crutch that allows us to avoid making the effort to communicate with others face to face.
What Can We Do to Improve?
Technology is likely to hugely impact future generations, meaning many of the problems outlined above could become rampant.
Fortunately, there are proactive measures to improve your health and those of people in your sphere of influence.
If you’re a parent of a kid who loves video games, look for titles that encourage him or her to get on the move.
Also, limit exposure to technology so it does not interfere with homework or make it harder for your youngster to get a good night’s sleep.
Furthermore, if you’ve noticed you immediately go to your smartphone to look up answers to questions or to shape your ideas, resist the urge.
Allow yourself to take part in logical thinking first, and use the smartphone only as a supplement.
Finally, don’t use your smartphone or another portable device as a shield that prevents you from conversing with others. If you have a tendency to do that in public, be firm and make your tech gadgets less accessible.
Making a positive change can be as easy as leaving the items in the car before going inside a building rather than keeping them in your pocket or purse.
Hopefully you’re now more informed about the downsides of technology in our society but also feel empowered to lessen your dependence on it and encourage family members to do the same. Even when changes are gradual, they start with you.
Ann Mulderig is a self-proclaimed health enthusiast who enjoys writing about food, fitness, and health in general. When she’s not writing, she can be found somewhere in the mountains or in her kitchen baking new recipes.
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect all or some of our beliefs and policy. Any links on this page does not necessarily mean they have been endorsed by Defying Mental Illness.
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