Videogame playing and childhood obesity

VIDEOGAMES ARE the latest in-thing. Children are simply crazy about them. Ask any child what he wants as a gift for any occasion and the answer would be the latest electronic game in the market. Even you mignt have never heard of the version or the game but these kids are far better researched when it comes to trendy videogames. It seems that the entire genre of kids is glued to electronic games that form the crux of their entertainment criterion.

Dr S Bose from Delhi says, “Every hour children play videogames doubles their chances of obesity. When children are young they require healthy foods and regular exercise. Sitting for hours at a stretch and playing videogames and doting on junk food leads to obesity in children.”

A prominent factor that leads to obesity in childhood is the fact that children lack discipline which eventually affects their health. Once they begin to play electronic games they are unable to get over them. It is a sort of addiction. Their thought patterns register the theme of the games in such a way that it is difficult for parents to pull them out of the games.

Karuna Makkar, teacher from Delhi says, “My eight year old is crazy about videogames and so is my 10 year old. They come back from their tuitions in the evening and sit to play. They even sleep talking about the characters in the games. It seems as if the whole world is non-existent and the games are their lifeline.”

Children love to live in fantasyland and videogames provide the perfect platform where they can find the key to the world of fantasy. Certain kids find solace in videogames who are usually backbenchers in school or are often mocked at by friends.

Tarun Kashyap is one such child. Megha, his mother says that Tarun is a below average student who is often made the laughing stock by his peers. Tarun loves to play videogames because he is able to succeed while defeating the animated characters in them. He is enthralled by a sense of victory each time he defeats someone. But his rising weight has recently become a matter of concern for his parents.

On the other hand, Jyothi Mehta, businesswoman says, “If children begin to treat videogames as defense mechanisms, I think parents must counsel them. After all we want our children to grow up into mature and responsible individuals who can fight real life battles instead of the ones in videogames.”

Vipul Gupta, retailer form Delhi says, “My son loves to play videogames and often revolts when he is told to shut down the station. Now, I am getting concerned over his increasing weight. He is unable to exercise and hardly has any friend because most of his time is either taken up by videogames or his home-work. According to his recent report from school, his grades have also been falling. I am unable to understand how to get him out of this affair with electronic games.”

Factors that lower the risk of obesity in children are physical activity and eating. Obesity is difficult to treat once it has been established, thus its prevention during childhood is essential in order to fight this global epidemic.

Obesity leads to a number of heath problems, including increased stress levels, high blood pressure, risk of stroke and heart attack. It is difficult to prevent obesity if it occurs in childhood, thus parents need to be vigilant in regard to their child’s weight.

Mohit Sud, an executive working with a Bangalore based MNC says, “Children nowadays have become couch potatoes. It is very difficult to find the exact cause for his. It has been noticed that children who refrain from going out in the field and playing with their friends are more prone to getting addicted to electronic games. It is not entirely their fault; it is the changing lifestyles that are leading to childhood obesity.”

Neeti Bhalla, housewife, says, “My eleven year old, Aditya has bloated over the last few months. I cannot entirely blame him for that. Since my husband has a transferable job, we tend to shift quite often. Ady loses his friends eventually. He has found great happiness in electronic games but his staple diet consists of Pepsi and chips followed by an array of other junk delicacies. We were guilty about or son having to lose his friends so quickly that we gave in to all his demands. Now his weight has started bothering us.

Obesity is becoming increasingly common in urban areas where children are stuck to electronic games. Competitive pressures in school and demanding lifestyles are robbing our children of their childhood. It is high time we do something about it before it gets too late.