Why Gen Alpha looks more prone to health problems

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Inactivity-induced obesity, poor immunity and addiction to gadgets are manifesting as various health issues in children today

UPDATED: May 6, 2024 19:21 IST

Ensuring the wellbeing of Generation Alpha-those born 2010 onwards-is more complex than of their previous generations. Dr Preeth Shetty, consultant paediatrician at Fortis Hospital, Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru, explains why it is so.

Obesity crisis: Obesity in children is a big problem. Earlier, under-nutrition was an issue but now, we are facing over-nutrition and poor nutrition. This is largely due to the higher purchasing capacity of parents. At the same time, convenience foods have come up, so children end up eating a lot of junk and processed food. There is also a huge drop in activity, made worse by the Covid pandemic. We find children so hesitant to go out and play and their parents too not pushing them enough. Those who do want their children to play complain there aren't enough urban spaces for playing. This lack of physical activity is leading to obesity and obesity-related problems. One major concern is children with pre-diabetic conditions, which over time will turn into Type 2 diabetes. We are very concerned because diabetes has its own set of consequences.

Poor immunity: Children today have low immune levels. This is due to a combination of poor food habits and sedentary lifestyle. They are not only more prone for infections but if infected, their bodies are not geared up to handle the stress. It becomes more difficult to treat them and illnesses last longer as well.

Gadget addiction: There are various reasons behind the addiction to gadgets. The first is obesity since children don't want to go out and play. Gadget addiction is also causing trouble with children's eyesight. They have dry eyes, and when they rub their eyes for relief, it increases pressure on the cornea and can cause a variety of ophthalmological issues. Thanks to gadgets, there is also huge social isolation among children. They hardly have friends and no one to confide in. This is giving rise to emotional stress and psychosomatic disorders. Lastly, gadgets impact the quality of sleep and academic performance.

Muscle and posture issues: Children addicted to gadgets often develop pain in the neck because of lying down while using gadgets or sitting in a bad posture for hours on end. In another 5-10 years, they may start experiencing issues with the spine. Some parents are worried and take medical advice. But their numbers are low. We need to create more awareness about the consequences of gadget addiction, social isolation, poor physical health and sleep in children.

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Published By:

Shyam Balasubramanian

Published On:

May 6, 2024