New Study Links High-Speed Internet to Rising Obesity Rates

Monash University, in collaboration with The University of Melbourne and RMIT University, has released research pointing to a potential link between high-speed internet access and increased obesity rates in Australians.

Published in Economics & Human Biology, the study analysed data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, covering 2006-2019. The study set out to examine how high-speed internet might influence obesity levels through changes in lifestyle and activity patterns.

Impacts of High-Speed Internet on Physical Activity

According to Senior Author Dr Klaus Ackermann from Monash Business School’s Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics, the study found that high-speed internet use could decrease Australians’ levels of physical activity, leading to a rise in sedentary behaviours.

“Access to high-speed internet decreases the likelihood of meeting the minimum physical activity recommendations proposed by the WHO. People become less active and spend more time in sedentary activities,” Dr Ackermann explained.

Dr Ackermann pointed out that prolonged online activities, such as streaming and gaming, contribute to a more sedentary lifestyle, lowering the body’s metabolic rate. This, in turn, can increase calorie intake, often through frequent snacking while online. He noted, “The need to stay connected for longer hours leads to behaviours that, over time, contribute to obesity.”

The study also indicated that online access reduces the need for physical errands, as people increasingly rely on e-commerce for goods and services. This ease of access minimizes movement outside the home, further limiting physical engagement.

Broader Health Implications and Economic Costs

Obesity is a growing concern in Australia, contributing to various health issues like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly two-thirds of Aussie adults were either overweight or obese in 2022.

Australia’s obesity rates are also linked to escalating economic impacts. In 2018, obesity cost Australians $11.8 billion. With a projected rise, costs could reach an estimated $87.7 billion by 2032, according to the National Obesity Strategy.

The research team observed that a 1 per cent increase in the National Broadband Network (NBN) adoption rate was associated with a 1.57 kg/m2 increase in BMI and a 6.6 per cent rise in obesity prevalence. Dr Ackermann explained, “Access to high-speed internet correlates with a decline in MET minutes, meaning people spend less time on activities that would typically support a healthier metabolic rate.”

Call for Public Health Awareness on Sedentary Risks

Dr Ackermann suggests that the study’s findings underscore the need for public health initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the sedentary risks associated with extended internet use.

“One option could be promoting awareness about how high-speed internet access may increase sedentary behaviour,” he said. “This awareness could motivate people to take short breaks between screen time to reduce the risk of physical inactivity and promote healthier lifestyles.”

Public health campaigns might also encourage people to engage in physical errands when possible, rather than relying solely on digital solutions. For individuals with busy schedules, promoting quick, vigorous activities that meet daily physical activity requirements could be particularly useful.

Future Research and Practical Implications

The study opens doors to further research on high-speed internet’s impact on lifestyle and health. Dr Ackermann and his team believe additional studies are necessary to explore more ways to mitigate the sedentary habits tied to internet use.

For more on the study, read The Fattening Speed: Understanding the Impact of Internet Speed on Obesity and the Mediating Role of Sedentary Behaviour, available in Economics & Human Biology.

Last Updated on January 17, 2025 by Nick Ross