Modern technologies have firmly entered our lives, making everyday tasks and entertainment easier. However, excessive fascination with gadgets has influenced the emergence of new diseases, including weight gain.
The use of gadgets itself is certainly not directly linked to the appearance of extra pounds, but it significantly affects a person's lifestyle, shaping their habits. Clinical psychologist and CBT psychologist Yulia Koroleva helped to understand how mobile devices contribute to the emergence of excess weight.
Why Are We Gaining Weight?
Obesity does not occur just like that; it depends on many different circumstances. Doctors identify four major groups of factors that contribute to the appearance of extra pounds: biological, psychosocial, behavioral, environmental factors, and medical reasons. The psychologist stated, "The use of gadgets falls into the category of behavioral factors that influence the emergence of excess weight. At the same time, all factors are interconnected and mutually reinforce each other."
Biological Factors
This refers to heredity, metabolic characteristics, and hormonal issues. If both parents are overweight, there is a high probability that the child will have the same problems. There are cases when the body itself poorly processes food, slowly burns fats, and accumulates extra pounds even with a small amount of food. Hormonal disruptions are also detrimental to a slim figure: the thyroid gland, insulin, and stress hormones like cortisol can contribute to fat accumulation.
Psychosocial Factors
It often happens that people with low income are forced to buy inexpensive products that contain a lot of sugar and harmful fats. Many do not know how to eat properly and engage in sports because no one taught them. Incorrect family eating habits, which are passed on to children and remain with them for a long time, also affect health and weight.
Environmental Factors
Today, many are tempted by cheap fast food, especially when there is no time to cook at home. Advertising constantly convinces us to try delicious dishes, despite their high calorie content. In large cities, there are fewer opportunities for active movement: work is sedentary, transportation is fast, and sports grounds are far away.
Behavioral Factors
Many are accustomed to considering the only causes of excess weight to be improper nutrition or lack of exercise. But scientists have long determined that one of the main reasons is our active fascination with modern technologies — tablets, phones, and computers. The psychologist noted, "People spend a lot of time in front of screens, reducing physical activity, which leads to decreased calorie expenditure and accumulation of excess fat. It also affects the fact that during the use of devices, many tend to snack on fast food, which leads to exceeding the daily calorie norm. Additionally, using gadgets during meals distracts attention from the eating process, leading to overeating."
Main Culprits:
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Sedentary lifestyle: the more we watch series online or play games, the less we move. Physical activity decreases, meaning the body expends less energy, turning excess food into fat.
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Unhealthy eating: when the eyes are glued to the screen, the hand automatically reaches for chips, pizza, or other readily available snacks. These are usually calorie-dense products, rich in sugar and salt. We eat them without thinking and easily exceed our daily calorie intake.
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Sleep problems: the bright light from screens interferes with the body's production of the sleep hormone — melatonin. This negatively affects the quality of nighttime rest, provokes fatigue during the day, and makes one want to eat more quick carbohydrates (chocolate, cookies).
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Stress and anxiety: constant communication on social media creates a feeling of anxiety, dissatisfaction with oneself and life. It becomes difficult to cope with emotions, and food turns into a way to comfort oneself.
"Thus, games and social networks replace active sports and hobbies, limiting opportunities for burning calories. The emergence of excess weight is influenced solely by the balance of calorie intake and expenditure," our expert clarifies.
Medical Reasons
Weight gain can also occur against the background of taking certain medications. Yulia stated, "This especially applies to antidepressants and hormonal agents. Diseases of the endocrine system, such as pathologies of the endocrine glands, adrenal glands, and pancreas, can lead to metabolic disorders and weight gain."
It is not difficult to protect oneself from the negative consequences of modern technologies. It is important to reduce frequent gadget use, monitor the quality of one’s diet, and lead an active lifestyle. Only then can one break the vicious cycle: stress, lack of movement, and excessive food consumption, restoring the body’s slimness and well-being.
"To prevent negative consequences, it is important to maintain a balance between the use of technology and active leisure. The problem needs to be approached comprehensively," concludes the specialist.
