Nutritionist: Screen-time eating raises obesity risk in children
More and more children in the Republic of Moldova eat in front of the TV or on their phones, a habit that affects their perception of taste, hunger cues, and the amount of food they consume. Nutritionist Luminița Suveică warns that this behavior increases the risk of obesity and other health problems, but says that parents can correct the situation through simple mealtime rules at home
The specialist explains that when a child eats in front of screens, their attention shifts entirely to the images. ‘In fact, the child is distracted from the act of eating, which lowers their attention to food because food awareness decreases,’ says Luminița Suveică. She highlights that children no longer perceive the taste and smell of food and may end up eating ‘like a robot, so to speak’, without realizing ‘when they are full.’
According to the nutritionist, the consequences of this behavior can be serious. In the Republic of Moldova, over 9% of children suffer from obesity, and one in five is in the pre-obesity range. Suveică warns that these children ‘may develop insulin resistance, even diabetes, or other health problems.’ She adds that this type of eating can also affect the digestive system.’
In her view, parents are the ones who can prevent such situations by setting clear eating rituals.
‘Parents must be the ones to establish habits, certain eating rituals—meaning everyone sits at the table… No phones at the table, everyone sits, everyone eats—that’s the golden rule,’ Suveică says. She also highlights the importance of family communication, including talking about children’s problems and sources of stress.
The specialist also recommends practical solutions for eliminating screens during meals: preparing healthy snacks in advance, offering small and visually appealing portions, involving the child in meal preparation, and creating a calm mealtime atmosphere, with no phones or tablets nearby.
