High-speed internet access is making us fat; here's how

The current generation has their lives chalked out in a state of limbo! On one hand, the fast-paced modern life makes them hustle more than their body and mind can sustain. On the other hand, a large part of their job is desk-bound, thanks to the internet boom – where every possible thing is at one foot distance of our palms with the blessing of three w’s aka worldwideweb!

Although, the present generation tries its best to strike a balance between their work and life – internet, somehow, has taken over both the section. Even after work, our leisure time is consumed by the contents available on the internet. Whether it’s the never-ending loop of reels, or the bingeworthy shows on various OTT platforms – internet’s our best friend and a constant companion that does almost all our biddings without even having us move an inch!

The result? Despite following a workout routine and maintaining proper diet, people are getting obese and affected by complicated diseases which are harder to have a grip on.

Obesity, which is a significant public health concern worldwide, is linked with an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and death. In the US, for example, it’s estimated that by 2030, 78% of adults will be overweight or obese. Australian data shows that two in three (66%) adults were overweight or obese in 2022. A new study, recently published in the journal ‘Economics & Human Biology’, has found a link between the rollout of high-speed internet services and a rise in obesity rates in the country. The researchers who conducted the study attribute the increase to the effect of high-speed internet access on physical activity and eating habits.

Obesity mainly stems from certain lifestyles, health and environmental factors, including poor eating and sedentary behaviour. According to a new study by researchers from Monash University, the University of Melbourne and RMIT University, that linked the rise in obesity seen in Australia and the rollout of high-speed internet services across the country, stated, “Access to high-speed internet connection decreases the likelihood of individuals meeting the minimum physical activity recommendation proposed by the WHO [World Health Organization].” Dr Klaus Ackermann, the study’s corresponding author from Monash University Business School’s Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics and SoDa Labs said, “That is, individuals become more inactive and exhibit more sedentary behaviour.”

The researchers reached their conclusion after analysing 14 waves of longitudinal data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey and a dataset on the rollout and adoption of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in zip codes across Australia.

Since 2012, the NBN infrastructure project has been gradually upgrading existing analogue telephone internet systems, which has provided significant improvements to internet connection speeds.

The researchers found that a 1% increase in NBN adoption rate was associated with an increase in the prevalence of obesity. Specifically, they observed an overall increase in body mass index (BMI) of 1.57 kg/m2 and a 6.6% increase in prevalence. BMI is an internationally recognized standard measure of body weight relative to height. Adults with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight but not obese; a BMI of 30 and over is considered obese. BMI is converted from metric to US customary units using this calculation: weight (pounds) / [height (inches)]2 x 703.

The researchers also added that, access to faster internet services contributed to the rise in the number of Australians with obesity because of its effect on physical activity and eating habits.

As per Ackermann, “Sedentary behavior is induced by the need to stay connected online for longer hours, which leads to lower metabolic rate and contributes to obesity. This problem is elevated by the need to frequently consume snacks during computer usage, which increases the daily intake of calories that contribute to obesity. Further, internet usage enables ease of access to various goods and services, and therefore reduces the need to perform errands physically. The convenience of electronic communications further reduces the need to meet up with family and friends in person, which further reduces potential opportunities to engage in physical activities.”

The relationship between obesity and internet usage isn’t restricted to only Australia.

A 2024 study of first-year university students in Türkiye found a positive correlation between BMI and problematic internet usage. In 2019, a review of existing studies from different countries, including the US, found “a significant, positive association between the highest internet use, compared to the lowest, and odds of overweight and obesity, such that internet users had 47% greater odds of being overweight or obese.”

However, the researchers hope that the present study’s findings will lead to greater awareness of this association and policies to promote physical activity.

How to fight obesity?

To fight obesity, you can try to:

Eat a healthy diet: Eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based foods. Eat fewer calories, and limit unhealthy fats to 20–35% of your daily calories. You can also try eating larger portions of foods that are lower in calories, like fruits and vegetables.

Exercise regularly: Aim for 60–90 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity three to four days a week.

Reduce screen time: Reduce the amount of time you spend watching TV or using other screens.

Get enough sleep: Make sure you're getting enough good-quality sleep.

Manage stress: Find ways to reduce stress in your life.

See a healthcare provider: Get your body mass index (BMI) checked once a year by a healthcare provider.

Consider a diet plan: Some diet plans can help with weight loss, such as the DASH Eating Plan or Aim for a Healthy Weight program. You can also ask your healthcare provider about meal replacements.

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