UAE doctors see spike in back pain, obesity among e-learners

UAE doctors see spike in back pain, obesity among e-learners

With several school and university students still in online learning mode, UAE doctors are calling on the youth — and their parents — to watch for health issues that may arise from long hours of daily virtual classes.

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More students have been suffering from poor posture, poor eyesight, back pain, obesity, and other lifestyle-related illnesses, following the shift to e-learning last year, doctors have said.

“Children are not bound to follow good ergonomics at home. Attending online classes on beds and sofas are the most common reasons behind a rise in musculoskeletal pains,” said Dr Samith Alva, specialist in paediatrics at Aster Clinic, JLT.

Doctors in the country have urged parents to provide children with a well-ventilated learning area and comfortable chairs at their homes. Screen time breaks are also advised.

Dr Gihan Zina, specialist in paediatrics at Bareen International Hospital – MBZ City, Abu Dhabi, said: “I've been hearing from families about young children who are having trouble sleeping, whose eating habits have changed, who are crying or throwing tantrums for no good reason, or are just generally upset and