Folding up the washing this morning I was pondering about what to blog about today. Daybreak was on in the background so I had one eye on the tv, and one on Dexter who was giggling in his Jumperoo. Daybreak’s Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were reviewing the morning’s papers which is usually a soft and perfunctory take on the headlines - nothing to usually write home about.
This morning however they debated a story within the Daily Mirror that was so ridiculous and swathed in moral panic - I got really quite angry. I grabbed the laptop to find the offending article and sure enough there it was: Too much too young: Children glued to TV and computer screens at increased risk of cancer and obesity
The actual photo included within the article. Don’t even get me started on this.
I don’t know why the Daily Mirror ever dabble in health related news as they always sensationalise to the point of absurdity. Don’t get me wrong, despite all the recent criticism, I love the Great British press and believe that the consumption of tabloids is preferable to some sections of Britain not consuming the news at all. In an age where political apathy is rife and the consequences are dire, it is far better that everyone is exposed to some kind of political discourse (even if it is so diluted that it can be accused of spreading ignorance). In some ways the Daily Mirror and The Sun have an obligation far greater than our broadsheets to report about health sensibly as their readers are perhaps the least informed about it. Yet here is an article so full of invention and hyperbole that it borders on the contemptible.
The assertion is that children who watch television and play computer games for excessive periods of time are at risk of becoming obese - no problems there. I completely agree that children shouldn’t be exposed to excessive sedentary behaviour and parents have a responsibility to ensure this doesn’t happen in their homes. I’m dreading the day that Dexter comes home from a friend’s house / school and asks if he can have a games console. I hate the idea of him sitting in his room and us having to literally prise him away from the screen for his dinner. I’ve seen what this lifestyle can do to people and I really don’t want that for my son. My only hope is that consoles such as the Wii and Xbox 360 stick around so at least he’ll be active and we can join in. I am resolutely hopeful that these consoles will evolve even further and earn a place in family life. They are, to some extent, already supplanting traditional ‘board games’ in that some games are designed to encourage family participation; something we should all be pleased about.
The obesity argument isn’t really in doubt here. Yes, sedentary activity is undoubtably linked to obesity - how could it not be? My issue is with the blatant scare-mongering about Cancer that this article reeks of. The insinuation is that tv watching = obesity = cancer. This equation is not only simplistic to the extreme, it is also incorrect. Obesity is not simply a product of sedentary activity, it is primarily a factor of poor diet (as is heart disease, diabetes and in some rare cases, cancer). There is no real evidence to support a direct correlation between obesity and cancer - yet here it isn’t only implied, it’s much exaggerated.
There is also the recommendation that all periods of inactivity should be limited. Take this quote in particular - The Mirror state that this sedentary behaviour in children is not only a byproduct of tv watching and gaming “(it) is also about them sitting down too long in a classroom or in front of a computer”. This serves to make our schools sound like breeding grounds for Cancer! At best, it is a criticism of our schools in that our children spend too much time sitting down and learning. How can learning ever be seen as a negative thing?
No one would ever argue that education isn’t important for a child, and tv watching and internet surfing can often be an extremely positive extension of learning. I recall being very serious about my school work and spending hours in front of a PC screen and with my head in books - this shouldn’t ever be discouraged. It is true that, in this example, some sedentary activity (even if prolonged) is advantageous in the fact that a child can develop his / her thought, creativity, and critical reasoning. You wouldn’t rip a book out of your child’s hand if they’ve had their 2 hour fill would you?
Even the practical advice in this article isn’t helpful. Take this quote:
Of course exercise is important, it must be done regularly and parents should continue to encourage this… But that should not mean children can then spend hours on the sofa when they are back at home
What utter twaddle. This implies that even if your child attends drama classes, joins a local football team or skateboards with friends in the park - that this isn’t enough and you should be slipping in a yoga DVD when they get home and insisting they join in. No! This is ridiculous! They should participate in extra curricular activities then come home and either study or relax - this should be the definitive routine for a child; a healthy blend of physical, mental and emotional activity. Let us not forget that down-time is just as important for a child’s emotional wellbeing! This article fails to deliver this message in any way in my opinion.
In any event - the story in itself is not even new. The benefits of regular exercise have been preached for centuries. This article simply relies upon the word ‘Cancer’ for effect. Incidences of diabetes and heart disease in the obese are far greater than cancer yet the latter has more impact and so is casually thrown into the argument.
I suppose, despite the fact this article is terrible, some good might come out of it. When Daybreak’s The Hub (a segment where viewers can submit their opinions on the day’s topics using social media) many people seemed genuinely concerned about their children’s over-consumption of television and computer gaming - I guess this is something positive. I just can’t help but feel the argument is cheap, emotionally manipulative and too sensational. The Daily Mirror might as well have led with the strapline “Sitting Down Causes Cancer”.
The right message should be that everything is okay in moderation. Unfortunately cancer exists in this world and it is right to take advice on how to prevent it, but sending your child off for a bike ride instead of watching a film is not going to have any impact at all.
What do you think?
