Digital Dilemma: How Late-Night Screen Time May Be Linked to Weight Gain

By Gyado T Emmanuel

…Digital delima Linked to Weight…

In an era dominated by the 24-hour society, our activities no longer strictly adhere to the Earth’s natural light-dark cycle. However, our bodies continue to operate within this rhythmic framework, influencing our mood, sleep patterns, alertness, and even appetite. A 2011 poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation underscored the extent to which technology permeates our nightly routines. Shockingly, it revealed that nine out of 10 Americans engaged with electronic devices before retiring for the night. Among teenagers, this figure climbed to an astonishing 72 percent, with young adults not far behind at 67 percent, often utilizing smartphones as their nighttime companions.

Since this initial study, smartphone ownership in the United States has more than doubled. As a result, an increasing number of individuals now find solace in slumber with their phones nestled close by. However, burgeoning research indicates that this late-night digital exposure might be disrupting our body’s intrinsic circadian rhythms, potentially contributing to unwelcome weight gain.

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Becky Conway-Campbell, a distinguished research fellow at the Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, elucidated the intricacies of our body’s temporal biology. “Our sleep-wake cycles, alertness, mood, activity levels, core body temperature, and appetite fluctuate over the course of each day, under the control of the so-called ‘master clock’ in the brain.” This ‘master clock’ orchestrates an array of bodily functions, while peripheral oscillators, guided by neural and hormonal signals, collaborate in synchronizing the body’s internal systems. Of notable importance is cortisol, often recognized as the ‘stress hormone,’ which exhibits substantial hormonal influence. It surges significantly from the adrenal glands during the early morning hours, regulating our daily activities and physiological functions.

The ramifications of this disruption in our body’s natural rhythm are profound. Studies suggest that irregular circadian patterns may lead to metabolic disturbances, impacting how our bodies process food and manage energy. Prolonged exposure to screens emitting blue light in the evening may suppress melatonin production, further exacerbating these issues. As we continue to navigate the digital age, it becomes increasingly imperative to strike a balance between technological engagement and safeguarding our biological clock—a task that holds far-reaching implications for our overall health and well-being.

Digital delima Linked to Weight……