A new study by the WHO has cited videogames as a major cause of childhood obesity.
A study conducted by the World Health Organization to investigate the rising problem of childhood obesity has named videogames as one of the driving factors behind the issue. According to the report, a third of all children around the world are now classed as obese, with a ‘sedentary lifestyle’ blamed. The report also claims that only 25% of boys are getting enough exercise and only 15% of girls.
It’s not just gaming that got the blame though, as the report also cites television and internet usage as causes. Interestingly, it doesn’t appear that living in a more affluent country affects the amount of exercise you get: “With regards to physical activity levels, we did not find much of a difference between poor and rich countries,” the report stated. “Growing up in a poor country does not necessarily mean that kids get more physical activity.”
The problem with a study like this – in my eyes at least – is that it oversimplifies the problem. Sure, kids are getting bigger because they’re playing videogames and chatting online, but the reasons for that are more complicated than just the availability of technology. If anything, gaming is a symptom, not a cause.
Source: MCV
