In 2006 Mike Judge wrote and directed a movie, "Idiocracy" based on a concept that 500 years in the future humanity would have evolved downward towards lower intelligence.
In a recent study, Steven Dubovsky, MD Reviewing Hoang TD et al., JAMA Psychiatry 2015 Dec 2, the researchers discovered that we are dumbing ourselves through our lifestyle.
They reviewed self reports on TV watching and exercise of over 5,000 adults who had been followed for 25 years. After adjusting for factors such as illness and smoking, they found a long-term pattern of low physical activity was associated with significantly slower processing speed. Watching television for >3 hours/day had significant associations with slower processing speed and poorer executive function. Participants with the lowest level of physical activity and the most television watching had the slowest processing speed and worst executive function.
This study began in early adulthood; one can only guess about what effect it is having on our children!
Perhaps less intelligent people watch more TV and exercise less because they are less intelligent. But would you take that chance with your kids?
Screen time should be restricted in children (and adults), and regular exercise strongly encouraged. Next time you go out to dinner count how many people are not on a device - it will be easier than those with their faces in their phones. Perhaps if we don't change soon Mr. Judge's prophesy will become reality!
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