SOCIAL MEDIA EATING ALARM
Screen time linked to food binges in young
THE more time kids spend binge-viewing social media and TV, the more likely they are to develop a healththreatening binge-eating habit, a study warns.
Researchers said every extra hour of social media screen time boosts the risk of developing the disorder a year later by 62%.
Meanwhile, every additional hour in front of the TV was linked with a 39% higher risk.
Exposure to more food adverts was a factor – while seeing “unattainable body ideals may lead to a negative body image and subsequent binge-eating”.
Experts warn the disorder can lead to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes – and want parents to curb kids’ screen time by making “media plans”.
Dr Jason Nagata of University of California, whose team studied data on 11,025 nine to 11-yearolds, said: “Children may be more prone to overeating while distracted by screens. They may also be exposed to more food ads on
TV. Binge-watching may lead to binge-eating behaviours due to overconsumption and loss of control. With remote learning, cancellation of sports, and social isolation, children are exposed to unprecedented screen time.
“Although screen time can have important benefits such as education and socialisation during the pandemic, parents should try to mitigate risks from excessive screen time such as binge-eating.
“Parents should talk to children about screen time and develop a family media use plan.”
Binge-eating is the most common eating disorder in the US – and accounts for 22% of eating disorders in the UK.
People with the condition may be overweight or normal weight but, unlike those with bulimia, do not compensate by vomiting, using laxatives or over-exercising.
They also frequently eat alone or in secret, and until they are uncomfortably full.
a real inner strength, and I think stories are going to be really powerr people to hear, especially durhis time where many of us struggled in lockdown.” nise has been in a tanding feud with Morgan after he controversial ments about her – other celebrities’ – al health.
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en asked about their Denise insists she n’t want the interview ked by his name” reveals when ees people clinical ssion eing bed, she into “the by the mental health system, which hasn’t been properly supported by any government,” says Denise. “Depression is depression, and whether you’re in a palace or a tenement block, your surroundings mean nothing. “I had money, a husband who loved me, a healthy child and I was plunged into severe clinical depression. “So when I see people’s experiences negated and maybe not believed, I am like the Hulk and anger comes out.” Denise has also been outspoken about the coronavirus lockdown on social media and as a presenter on Loose Women and was even wrongly accused of being a “Covid denier” by Piers and some Twitter users. But she insists her stance is due to how lockdown mental health.
She says: “I think people with big platforms should be talking about the future and giving people hope.
“I’m not saying give people false promises, but the mental health tsunami is the new pandemic and that is something that was happening way before lockdown.” has affected
Judge
people’s
One show bringing joy to people during the most recent lockdown was Rupaul’s Drag Race UK – and Denise says she’d love to be a guest judge.
Denise is friends with some of the show’s stars including 2019 finalist Baga Chipz, and attended last year’s Rupaul’s Dragcon with Matty.
She says: “I would love to be a judge. “Everybody knows my dad (Vin Welch) used to do a bit of drag and it’s a world I’ve always been immersed in, so if anyone from the show is listening I’d love to add that to my tick list!”.
●Survivors With Denise Welch is showing on Mondays from next week at 9pm on Crime+investigation
VILLAIN: Denise starring as “narcissist” Trish Minniver in Hollyoaks