Addiction and Obesity

[Guest guest]

Addiction and Obesity

Generally

Often these are concerns that we voice when we think about computers

with regard to children, but I believe that they can be just as bad

for adults as children. Here, addiction " is used with the same

meaning to describe the same symptoms of addictions to drugs and

alcohol--a compulsive behavioral involvement, a lack of interest in

other activities, association mainly with other addicts, and

uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms when trying to stop the

bahavior " [44]. If you have ever seen someone chatting with their

friend over ICQ or MSN Messenger, or if you ever knew anyone who

played games such as Altima Online or Everquest and now Final

Fantasy XI (I would link to these, but I do not want you to get

addicted =P), you know that adults can also be addicted to computer

activities. And with addiction as well as the prevalent use of

computers in our workplaces as daily tools, people are going to be

less active which also promotes obesity. Both of these issues are

important health concerns.

Addiction

Addiction can lead to psychological stress and all of the other

health problems mentioned earlier in this web essay since the

addiction means they are using computers for extended periods of

time. Video games also use different navigation equipment much of

the time, and this can be problematic. Some games require keyboard

and mouse use, with constant mouse movement and incessant clicking

and key pressing. Many people have hurt their hands using console or

computer controllers while playing video games as a result of

excessive force and repetitive movement [45,46]. Overall, these

games can cause the player to be tense because the game is

particularly difficult, and this could lead to an injury. Because of

all these factors, perhaps it is even more important that people are

made aware of the health effects that these computer activities can

have, and some ways to prevent them.

Obesity

Another conclusion that we can draw from much of the earlier

material in this essay is our need for movement. If we are

stationary too long we develop problems, and overall we should be

moving around quite a bit. Computers may be contributing to a less

active lifestyle by " displacing activity in sport and other physical

activity " [47]. We must remember that to be healthy people we need a

variety of things such as food, water, and shelter, but I think

physical activity is another of these imperative things in our life,

so imperative that we take it for granted. Make sure you do not

spend all or most of your time behind a computer (or television)

screen. Healthy people need to interact with other people and do

more than one thing in a day, and they need to remain active so that

they can feel good throughout their day, and for all the days to

come.