0
0
Melbourne, Australia — New research has revealed a concerning connection between high-speed internet usage and the growing rate of obesity in Australia. Published on Monday, the study shows that activities associated with high-speed internet access, like online gaming and binge-watching on streaming platforms, are contributing to increased sedentary behavior and, consequently, rising obesity rates.
The research, conducted by a team from Melbourne’s Monash University, along with the University of Melbourne and RMIT University, analyzed data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. Covering the period from 2006 to 2019, the study examined how the adoption of high-speed internet impacted physical activity levels and obesity in the country.
Klaus Ackermann, the study’s senior author from Monash University, explained that high-speed internet access reduces the likelihood of individuals meeting the minimum physical activity requirements recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Ackermann noted that sedentary behaviors encouraged by internet usage are often accompanied by frequent snacking, which contributes to weight gain over time.
In fact, the study found that just a one-percent increase in the adoption rate of Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) was linked to a rise in the obesity prevalence. According to data provided by Xinhua news agency, this link underscores the broader lifestyle shift towards more stationary, internet-dependent activities that replace physical activities.
In addition, Ackermann pointed out that high-speed internet has enabled Australians to access goods and services without leaving their homes. “With online shopping, food delivery, and remote socializing on the rise, people have fewer reasons to go out, further reducing their physical activity levels,” he said.
The findings are particularly timely as Australia grapples with record obesity rates. According to data released in December 2023 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 65.8 percent of Australian adults were either overweight or obese in 2022, up from 62.8 percent in 2012.
The economic implications of rising obesity are also significant. The federal government’s 2022 National Obesity Strategy estimated that obesity cost the Australian economy approximately 11.8 billion Australian dollars ($7.7 billion) in 2018 due to healthcare costs and reduced productivity.
This study highlights the need for public health initiatives that address the sedentary lifestyles associated with high-speed internet. As Australia’s internet speeds and accessibility continue to improve, health experts are urging policymakers to consider strategies to encourage physical activity and limit the negative health impacts of prolonged screen time.
