Advanced technology increases laziness
By Candace Akasaki
In a nation overwhelmed by the availability of Xenadrin, Hydroxycut and countless other weight loss products, it is surprising to see such a drastic rise in the percentage of adolescent Americans who are obese. Technology has made possible the development of these dietary shortcuts to happiness, but it has also created a record high of overweight teens. Over the past two decades, the prevalence of adolescent obesity has doubled, primarily thanks to the sedentary lifestyle promoted by technology.
Santa Clara University epitomizes the AScribe Health News Service's description of the today's college-aged person.Ã "Technology has also become a contributing factor as adolescents engage in 'screen time,' which consists of television, movies, games, the Internet and more. [. . .] sitting in this type of medium does nothing but promote unhealthy foods as children are bombarded with fast food commercials."Ã Peek into a dorm room and chances are you'll see a student sitting in front of his or her computer surfing the 'net, playing video games or lounging in front of the TV while snacking on junk food. The rapid development of technology has introduced newer and more efficient methods of tending to everyday tasks, methods in which inactivity is the main objective. Think about it: instead of students writing letters and walking it to the post office to mail, with just a few clicks of the mouse they can send e-mails to their friends without budging an inch. Rather than go to the Bronco to play a game of pool, many students will meet their friends online and play an online pool game, all in the convenience of their dormitory. Adolescents today are finding their sources of entertainment indoors, whereas generations before entertained themselves in the great outdoors. This shift in entertainment sources has a huge impact on the obesity rates of our generation. Because indoor activities require minimal energy output, especially when compared to outdoor activities, this sedentary lifestyle trend is reflected in the stunningly high number of obese adolescents.
Along with most technological advancements come heavy advertising and commercialization, which is particularly abundant on TV.Ã Television continuously bombards its viewers with ad campaigns promoting un-nutritious, high-calorie fast foods all being consumed by gorgeous people with perfect bodies.Ã As a result, researchers have noted the remarkably high percentage of adolescents who eat convenience or fast-food items on a regular basis. Take a look at Market Square: at lunchtime the busiest station is The Grill. where patti melts and cheeseburgers are born, and the second busiest station is Roma, home of the carboyhydrate-laden pasta. Why not the salad bar? Because we know that health foods don't taste half as good as those coming from the fats and oils food group, which many believe to be more pleasing to the palette.
Technology has created a world in which convenience and efficiency are key, and as a result, we have created a generation whose lifestyle and diet patterns follow those same guidelines. Adolescent obesity is becoming a serious problem for college students, and its time people realized that technological advancements do not always have beneficial consequences.Ã In a case such as this, technology seems to be hazardous to your health.
Candace Akasaki is a freshman.