Written by
Anakha Pisharody, MOT Paediatrics,
Occupational Therapist
Gadgets while eating – Why and How to Stop it?
Roya is a two-year-old child who stayed with her grandparents while her parents were at work. She was a fussy eater and often took a long time to finish her meals, making feeding a challenging experience for the family. When her paediatrician mentioned that she was underweight, the family began showing her favourite cartoon, Peppa Pig, during mealtimes to encourage her to eat. Although distraction feeding initially made her more cooperative, the family continued this practice for six months, and Roya gradually became dependent on gadgets while eating.
When the family tried to reduce electronic distractions during meals, Roya refused to eat without them, making feeding difficult once again. Her paediatrician advised the family to consult an Occupational Therapist. Occupational Therapy can help assess sensory, behavioural and oral-motor factors that may contribute to feeding difficulties. Through structured feeding strategies, sensory-based activities and parent guidance, an occupational therapist can support children in developing healthier and more independent mealtime habits.
Like Roya, is your child a fussy eater? Do you allow your child to watch cartoons or use gadgets during meals? Gadget dependence is increasingly common among children, and parents may find it difficult to manage because of busy schedules and modern lifestyles. However, frequent gadget use during eating can reduce awareness of hunger and fullness cues and may affect healthy mealtime routines. In this blog, we discuss the possible effects of gadget use during meals and how Occupational Therapy can support mindful eating and better feeding habits.
Eating Food with electronic distractions and Side Effects of using Gadgets while eating?
Gadget distractions during feeding may lead to delays in physical, cognitive, speech and language and social-emotional development of a child. Here are some issues that may arise due to exposure to gadgets.
- Overeating
- Reduced child-family interaction
- Sensory food aversion
- Overeating
Eating with distractions doesn’t allow the child to understand and realize his/her hunger and thirst needs. They may not realize the feeling of fullness. More often, distracted eating leads to frequent snacking also. The child may find it difficult to remember what they ate and also may not have control over how much they have eaten. Unhealthy eating habits and overeating can lead to health concerns such as lower metabolism, indigestion and obesity.
Overeating
Eating with distractions doesn’t allow the child to understand and realize his/her hunger and thirst needs. They may not realize the feeling of fullness. More often, distracted eating leads to frequent snacking also. The child may find it difficult to remember what they ate and also may not have control over how much they have eaten. Unhealthy eating habits and overeating can lead to health concerns such as lower metabolism, indigestion and obesity
Reduced child-family interaction
More often, parents and other family members may find only mealtime entertaining and relaxing. But if family members and children watch gadgets while eating, it may affect conversation and interaction. Their family attachment and bonding may also get affected.
Sensory food aversion
Using distraction eating may limit the sensory experiences of the child. Distraction eating occupies the basic senses of a child; hence they may not understand the taste, smell, and texture of the food. They may not oppose when new food is introduced or may not have any preferences/choices towards food. These kids may start avoiding new foods in later life.
Some kids are picky eaters, and it can be due to sensory hyperresponsivity. They tend to avoid food depending on its texture, smell, taste and colour.
Avoid Children watching TV while eating/ How to avoid distracted eating?
Here are some tips to avoid distracted feeding and promote mindful eating.
Pay complete attention to the child and promote interaction and bonding among family members. Make sure that along with the child, family members also avoid watching gadgets such as TV, phone, laptop or tablet. Kids learn a lot of things by observing you, so be a role model to them.
If you find difficulty feeding with no screen time, start by slowly reducing the screen time with at least 5-10 min of feeding time without gadgets. Gradually make it as feeding with zero screen time.
Let the child understand their hunger needs. Don’t force the child to eat if the child feels full. Avoid snacking in between and near mealtime.
Tell the child what they are eating and make them aware of it.
Encourage feeding by self. Teach the child to finger-feed snacks such as biscuits, and chips by themselves. Simple breakfast items such as dosa, chapati, idly, poori etc. can be cut into small pieces and make the child take pieces of them and eat by himself/herself. Children can be fed rice by making rice balls and providing them on the plate. Let them pick it up by themselves. Help your child enjoy their food by adding shapes and colours and making it attractive and interesting.
Health Benefits of Mindful Eating
Health benefits of mindful eating are the following:-
- It helps understand the sense of hunger and fullness.
- It helps the child to try a variety of food choices.
- It improves awareness of taste, colour, texture, and smell of food.
- Encourages interaction with family members.
