Too much screen time may cause weight gain, slow brain development in children: experts

Young people take a break at the breakwater near the beach at Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila on Nov. 9, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — Twenty-three-year-old mom Ruffa Mae Sakay limits her children's use of mobile phones and other gadgets to twice a week. 

She knows that the use of technology is prevalent among the Gen Z, but she said she preferred to see her children playing outdoors.

"Mas masaya maging bata pagka walang hawak na gadget... Hinahayaan ko lang silang maglaro, ma-experience nila iyong paligid nila para makita nila. Hindi ko po kinonsider na tama ang technology para patahimikin ang bata. Disiplinahin po natin sila," Sakay told ABS-CBN News.

For the Department of Health (DOH), lack of physical activity due to too much use of gadgets is one of the causes of being overweight, which is a form of malnutrition.

Data from the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) in 2022 show 16.1 percent of children aged 6 to 12 years old were overweight and obese. Meanwhile, 11.7 percent of adolescents aged 13 to 19 and 44.4 percent of adults aged 20 to 59 share the same condition.

"Mataas din ang ating overweight children and adolescents, 30 percent... Siguro sa upper class and middle class iyong kumakain ng masyadong maraming fastfood, fried, fatty. Tapos because of the social media, wala nang activity," Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

"Anong ibig sabihin noon? Pag tanda nila, by 30, iyong mga overweight may high blood, diabetes," he said in a press conference on Monday. 

DOH warns of obesity 'epidemic' among Pinoys

Meanwhile, Dr. Michelle Sy of the Child Neurology Society of the Philippines said excessive screen time could cause slow brain development.

“‘Pag prolonged screen time use and there's a very rapid screen change or image changes, this teaches the brain to expect higher levels of stimulation and leads to inattention. It deprives also children of the experiences that they need in order to learn, in order for proper brain growth," Sy said in a Feb. 14 DOH forum, coinciding with the Intellectual Disability Week.

"Kasi hindi nila nagagamit iyong areas na kailangan mag-develop because they're so passive in watching the screen. Ito iyong nagiging problem in the recent period," she added.

'EXERCISE TO EXTEND OUR LIFE'

Dr. Cynthia Cuayo-Juico, pediatrician and fellow of the Philippine Pediatric Society, described the current situation as "super alarming" because children have become lazy and inactive. Their social skills are also rusting as they depend on technology.

"Ang advocacy dapat, nasa mga magulang tayo, sa mga lolo at lola, sa teachers. Ipagbawal natin ang too much gadget. Hindi ko naman sinasabing itapon," she told ABS-CBN News.

Cuayo-Juico called on parents to monitor their children's screen time, along with the websites and social media apps they visit.

For experts, going on a diet or exercising does not mean torturing oneself. What is important is that these are incorporated into one's lifestyle.

Cuayo-Juico said any form of physical activity is acceptable, as long as intentional.

"Pagkagising po natin sa umaga, isama natin ang mga bata na magligpit ng higaan, ma-stretch out ka dyan... Bago kayo mag-breakfast, mag-stretch muna tayo... O kaya mag-jump tayo, sa loob lang po iyan ng bahay," she said.

"Mag-ikot-ikot tayo, maghabulan tayo... O kaya buksan ang television, YouTube, may mga exercise na nakatayo ka lang," she continued. "Isipin na lang natin na kailangan mo ng exercise to extend our life." 

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The pediatrician said other alternatives to gadgets include communicating with children and spending quality time, which could strengthen family bonding.

"Kung pupunta lang kayo sa grocery, isama niyo naman. Hindi na po bawal ilabas ang bata ngayon. Naiinip din po," Cuayo-Juico said.

"Start reading with a comics kasi may picture... Do you have book, besides the books in school? ...Engage your children. Hindi ho pwedeng iwanan ang pagbabasa at pagdadagdag ng kaalaman sa mga bata," she added.

Meantime, the DOH urged local government units to build more parks and open areas for outdoor activities.

"Kailangan iyong mga mayor magtayo ng mga playground para magpunta naman ang mga bata doon – basketball court or wherever para maging active; may bicycle lane para mag-bicycle," Herbosa said.