Episode #32: Dr. Kristin Hieshetter Tackles Kids' Screen Time and Brain Health

About the Guest(s):

Dr. Kristin Hieshetter is a renowned expert in functional health and the host of the successful "Functional Health Radio" podcast. With a passion for holistic wellness, Dr. Hieshetter strives to educate the public on optimizing health through natural means. She is a trailblazing healthcare provider with a significant following, specializing in bridging the gap between conventional medicine and functional health. Dr. Hieshetter is dedicated to inspiring and informing her audience about the body's intrinsic potential for healing and self-regulation.

Episode Summary:

In this compelling episode of Functional Health Radio, Dr. Kristin Hieshetter delves into the worrying trends regarding American life expectancy and the rising rates of chronic diseases among children. She highlights the stark drop in life expectancy over the past few years and explores the myriad of factors contributing to this phenomenon, including lifestyle choices and the medical system's shortcomings. Utilizing data from reputable sources such as the CDC and the Journal of Scientific Reports, Dr. Hieshetter builds an illuminating narrative around the importance of functional health and the untapped potential of the human body.

Dr. Hieshetter turns a critical eye towards modern children's screen time and its detrimental impact on cognitive and emotional development. Through studies from Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and the Journal of American Medical Association, she showcases the significant decrease in IQ and attention span linked to excessive screen usage. Highlighting research that ties early screen time to issues like aggressive behavior, obesity, and psychiatric disorders, Dr. Hieshetter makes a compelling case for reducing children's digital exposure. She passionately advocates for turning off screens, encouraging outdoor play, and fostering imaginative and physical activities to improve lifelong health and cognitive function.

Key Takeaways:

• Decreasing Life Expectancy: Analysis of recent CDC reports showing a decline in life expectancy for both men and women in the United States.
• Impact of Screen Time on Children: Studies demonstrating significant drops in cognitive abilities, attention span, and IQ tied to excessive screen time among children.
• Negative Behavioral Effects: Children with high TV and digital media consumption exhibit more aggression, obesity, and sleep disorders.
• Differentiating Digital Activities: Constructive use of technology for educational purposes can mitigate some negative impacts compared to passive consumption like video games and social media.
• Encouragement for Physical Activity: Emphasizing the role of physical movement in brain development and overall health, advocating for more outdoor play and dynamic activities for kids.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The life expectancy in the United States is falling, and children are being diagnosed with chronic diseases at unprecedented rates."
2. "Zero to three-year-olds watched an average of 2.2 hours of television a day, dramatically lowering their reading recognition and comprehension scores."
3. "59% of children under age two in America right now watch at least 1.5 hours of TV a day."
4. "Having a TV in a kid's room is associated with reduced test scores, lowered cognition, and lower IQ."
5. "We need to get these kids out. We need to get them moving. The more we move, the bigger the brain."

Resources:

• Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Vol. 159 (July 2005): Children's Television Viewing and Cognitive Development.
• Journal of American Medical Association, Pediatrics: Association of Screen Time with Cognitive and Behavioral Outcomes in Extremely Preterm Children.
• Journal of Scientific Reports (June 6, 2024): Long Term Impact of Digital Media on Brain Development in Children.
• Functional Health Mastery Group: A free group for doctors and healthcare providers for functional health training.
• Functional Health Mastery

Dive deeper into the transformative insights of functional health by tuning into the full episode. Continue to explore actionable health tips and be part of a community committed to optimizing health and wellness. Stay connected, stay informed, and don't miss out on the next episode of Functional Health Radio!