Is Technology Making us Fat? Certain Luxuries Increase Risk of Obesity, Diabetes

There's no doubt about it. Today's technological advances-whether it be a new flat screen TV or convertible-are simply amazing. These conveniences not only make our lives easier. They can also make our lives more fun and interesting. Unfortunately, with everything, there is a downside. Particularly for those in low-income countries who can experience such luxuries, they may be more likely to become obese than those who do not have them, according to a recent study.

"With increasing uptake of modern-day conveniences - TVs, cars, computers - low and middle income countries could see the same obesity and diabetes rates as in high income countries that are the result of too much sitting, less physical activity and increased consumption of calories," said lead author Scott Lear of Simon Fraser University, via The Province. "This can lead to potentially devastating societal health care consequences in these countries."

For the study, researchers looked at how eating more along with a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

However, they also found that the same relationship did not exist in developed nations-suggesting that such harmful effects regarding technological devices and their relationship to unhealthy behavior may already have been reflected in the high obesity and diabetes in such countries.

For instance, the study showed that nearly 154,000 adults from 17 countries across the financial spectrum, including the United States, Canada, and Sweden to Iran, India, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan, were likely to be affected in some way by technology.

For those in developing countries, nearly 78 percent of their households had at least one television, while 34 percent owned a computer and another 32 percent also owned a car.

However, just four percent of those in low-income countries had all three of such devices, compared to 83 percent in high-income countries. And consequently, those with electronic devices tended to be less active and typically fatter.

"Our findings emphasize the importance of limiting the amount of time spent using household devices, reducing sedentary behavior and encouraging physical activity in the prevention of obesity and diabetes," the authors note, via the AFP.

What do you think?

More information regarding the study can be seen in the Canadian Medical Journal.