A child eating while engrossed in a digital device.
A nutritionist warns that children who frequently use electronic devices while eating are more likely to overeat and develop weight issues. This observation comes from Alla Porkhun, Deputy Head of the Association of Professionals in Social Nutrition and Population Health Improvement.
Porkhun highlighted research indicating a strong correlation between gadget use during meals and increased food intake, leading to obesity. She explained that this isn`t merely about consuming more, but also about the body`s diminished ability to absorb nutrients effectively when under the `informational stress` caused by device use.
According to the expert, being distracted by screens while eating goes beyond being a simple bad habit; it constitutes a significant disruption to healthy eating behavior. When a child is engrossed in a phone or tablet during a meal, their brain becomes too preoccupied with the digital activity to adequately process bodily cues.
This digital distraction leads to delayed signals of fullness, meaning the brain doesn`t register satiety in a timely manner. Consequently, children tend to consume more food than necessary. Furthermore, the digestive process itself can slow down, exacerbating the problem of overconsumption and potentially leading to less efficient nutrient absorption.
