Watching Netflix Causes Obesity: Paper Example

Introduction

Matrix (2014) argues that entertainment is swiftly becoming an all-you-can-eat buffet, equating it to the Netflix effect (Matrix, 2014). In research steered by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PWC) in 2013, 63% of families in the United States stream movies through online streaming sites such as Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon Prime (Matrix, 2014). Further, another research done by Leichtman Research Group revealed that approximately 24% of those families are streaming Netflix alone every single week, to make matters worse in Canada around 28% of the residents have Netflix accounts (Matrix, 2014). The negative implication of Netflix streaming is that it augments the rate of people at the risk of getting obesity due to lack of exercise and eating junk foods.

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A research conducted by a firm in the U.S. revealed that 36% of those in Generation Y (currently aged between 18 and 24) are currently addicted to binge viewing and Netflix more than those in generation Z in the United States (Matrix, 2014). The main problem is that these young people are at increased risk of getting obesity which has several cardiovascular risks that lead to death (Matrix, 2014). Obesity is a major public health worry in the United States. Over the last few decades, the occurrence of obesity among adults and children has augmented at a frightening rate. It is now reaching epidemic extents and this is major because of Netflix streaming and lack of exercise (Matrix, 2014). Netflix streaming acts as a sedentary lifestyle that replaces physical activity. The sedentary lifestyle attracts high consumption of highly palatable foods, and with decreased physical activity that increases the chances of becoming obese (Ramayan, Estella & Bakar, 2018).

In America, approximately 75% of people aged 18-40 are at an augmented risk of becoming overweight because of engaging in Netflix and binge-watching (Matrix, 2014). Spending most of your youthful years watching Netflix is a strong indicator of compromised health during the later years in life (Matrix, 2014). They will battle with problems such as increased cholesterol levels, poor cardiovascular fitness, and greater central adiposity. Potential studies reveal that such people will battle with type 2 diabetes, and hypertriglyceridemia caused by augmented body weight (Matrix, 2014).

Hollie et al., (2013) underscore several things while conducting behavior therapy during the treatment of obesity in adults. First, they state that the more period adults spend watching Netflix augments their risk of obesity. Second, the impact of reducing Netflix or binge-watching, a common inactive behavior on loss of weight has not be verified as an adult standard behavior obesity intervention (Raynor et al., 2013).They conducted a two, 8-week pilot, randomized measured trials while trying to examine if reducing Netflix or binge-watching can help to enhance weight loss (Raynor et al., 2013). The result found out that reducing Netflix or binge-watching does not have a major effect on weight loss but regular exercise and eating healthy. However, they did accentuate that watching both can easily lead to weight gain.

Zimmerman & Bell (2010) analyze the association of advertisement types of children's television or series watching with ensuing increase in body weight gain. They also state that Netflix streaming or binge watching can lead to obesity through three basic pathways. One, it displaces the time that should be spent in physical activity, second, those who are addicted to watching movies are more inclined to eat palatable meals while they are watching (Zimmerman & Bell, 2010). It promotes both poor health eating habits and higher-quantity food consumption. Finally, children might be exposed to advertisements or scenes that promote Candie or junk food consumption, which negatively impacts their consumption habits. If you look closely, young generation (Y and Z) are at the risk of having their consumption habits affected which then leads to weight gain.

Netflix streaming has been linked to a decline in healthy feeding habits. Most viewers tend to consume snacks and unhealthy drinks, and occasionally adjust their normal eating schedule to allow them watch their favorite series (Oberschmidt, 2017). Being addicted to watching these series affects also the cognitive reasoning of individuals as they will not be able to reason uniquely and affects their ability to make right decisions (Oberschmidt, 2017). It is because they have accumulated adipose and elevated cholesterol levels which makes them feel sleepy and lazy. Most young people tend to procrastinate on vital goals that would make a difference in their lives.

The reason why youths like spending most of the time watching series are due to the social aspect of having a friend along who inspires them to watch the favorite series. According to Compensatory Health Benefits (CHBs) most people activate to defuse the bad behavior they do by watching movies (Oberschmidt, 2017). However, on a negative font, Netflix streaming increases the instances of negative behavior such as cigarette smoking, and alcohol drinking which poses an even greater health risk to them. Most teenagers represent a greater demographic graph of the people affected by binge and Netflix watching. The situation has a negative effect on them in the following ways; if they get an advertisement promoting certain food categories for probably lunch meals, most of them will tend to demand their parents to prepare the exact meal for them. This becomes a factor that increases the prevalence of obesity (Oberschmidt, 2017).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the paper highlights how addiction to Netflix and binge-watching contributes to obesity, which is a risk factor of Diabetes type 2. Several researchers conducted in the paper reveal that young people aged between 18-40 of both genders are victims of Netflix watching. Watching movies also slows cognitive development of teenagers and they tend to struggle to make right decisions, and always lazy that result them to procrastinate achieving their goals.

References

Matrix, S. (2014). The Netflix effect: Teens, binge watching, and on-demand digital media trends. Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures, 6(1), 119-138. Retrieved from: file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/6.1.matrix.pdf

Oberschmidt, K. (2017). The relationship between binge-watching, compensatory health beliefs, and sleep (Bachelor's thesis, University of Twente). Retrieved from: https://essay.utwente.nl/72663/1/Oberschmidt_BA_BMS.pdf

Ramayan, S., Estella, A. L. M., & Bakar, I. A. A. (2018). The Effects of Binge Watching on Interpersonal Communication among Department of Communication and Liberal Arts (DCLA) Students. IDEALOGY, 3(3), 127-143. Retrieved from: https://www.academia.edu/37590967/The_Effects_of_Binge_Watching_on_Interpersonal_Communication_among_Department_of_Communication_and_Liberal_Arts_DCLA_Students

Raynor, H. A., Steeves, E. A., Bassett Jr, D. R., Thompson, D. L., Gorin, A. A., & Bond, D. S. (2013). Reducing TV watching during adult obesity treatment: two pilot randomized controlled trials. Behavior therapy, 44(4), 674-685. Retrieved from: https://eds-a-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/eds/detail/detail?vid=13&sid=1af3112b-3013-49ee-bfeb-b340a1c2b04b%40sdc-v-sessmgr03&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=S0005789413000476&db=edselp

Zimmerman, F. J., & Bell, J. F. (2010). Associations of television content type and obesity in children. American Journal of Public Health, 100(2), 334-340. Retrieved from: https://eds-a-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/eds/detail/detail?vid=21&sid=1af3112b-3013-49ee-bfeb-b340a1c2b04b%40sdc-v-sessmgr03&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=47522018&db=a9h