11Feb
Research findings published in the Canadian Medical Journal suggest that people living in low-income countries who use cars, televisions and computers extensively, are far more likely to be obese than those who don’t.
“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.
Nearly 154 000 adults from 17 countries were covered by the study, including the United States, Canada, Sweden , China, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. TV was the most common electronic device in developing countries, with 78 percent of households having one. 34 percent reported owning a computer, and 32 percent – a car. Only 4 percent of people in low-income countries had all three devices, compared to 83 percent of those living in high-income countries.
Owning all three devices was linked to an 11.7 percent rate of diabetes and a 14.5 percent prevalence of obesity. For those who had no devices, the rate of obesity was 3.4 percent and the rate of diabetes was 4.7 percent.
This relationship between technology and poor health effects wasn’t identified in developed nations which, researchers say, suggests that the harmful effects of these devices on health are already reflected in the high obesity and diabetes rates.
“Our findings emphasise the importance of limiting the amount of time spent using household devices, reducing sedentary behaviour and encouraging physical activity in the prevention of obesity and diabetes,” the study reads.
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