The doctor notes that in recent years, children have been eating worse, which is largely associated with gadgets and cartoons. Parents often turn on cartoons to distract children during meals. This leads to the child not realizing what they are eating, and a reflex of “cartoon = eating” is formed. As a result, children do not develop the habit of mindful eating, which negatively impacts their digestion.
Moreover, the use of gadgets adversely affects sleep quality and the nervous system. Burabaev recommends turning off all devices two hours before bedtime, as the blue light from screens disrupts the production of hormones responsible for sleep. This can lead to the child falling asleep late and experiencing stress from information overload, which, in turn, causes tantrums and aggression.
Regarding vision, Burabaev emphasizes that the distance from the television or phone to the eyes should be at least 2-3 meters to avoid strain. Sitting hunched over, children risk developing posture problems, spinal curvature, and, consequently, disorders in the musculoskeletal system. This can lead to increased blood pressure in children. According to him, there is a global trend of rising cases of hypertension among children, which is linked to the use of gadgets and a sedentary lifestyle. A lack of physical activity and absence of outdoor play lead to poor muscle development and low levels of vitamin D, as even outside, children prefer to sit in the shade and look at screens.
As advice, the cardiologist urges parents to organize a daily routine for their children. They should go outside more often and engage in physical activity at least 3-4 times a week:
- allocate 10-15 minutes for light physical exercises;
- dedicate 30-60 minutes for intensive workouts.
