SCS-200 MILESTONE 2
Katie Letson
SNHU Applied Social Science
, 1
SCS 200
Milestone 2
10/10/2021
I. The social science issue I have chosen to investigate is if screen time with modern
devices is causing the rise in obesity of youth? This issue has been widely researched, adding a
different variable or specific group of youth to study. If I look at my issue through the lens of an
anthropologist, I can see a clear rise in obesity of American youth over the past 40 years. One
common connection that continues to stand out is modern device screen time usage and youth
obesity increase. Young people have been spending more time with modern day technical media
and communication devices, such as cell phones, gaming consoles, internet, social media
platforms, and tablets. It has become a social norm to always have and use these devices. Most
American youth and adults have become dependent on these devices for every aspect of life.
Although, I am not young, I am not the exception. Just the other day, I accidentally left my
smart phone at home and had to go to dinner to meet friends. I drove halfway to another city and
couldn’t figure out where I was going next without my navigation app. Then I was late so I
thought well I will just call and explain. Suddenly I am realizing I can’t call without a phone,
and I don’t know one person’s phone number to attempt to call anyone anyway.
A definite pattern appears to show a correlation between the obesity rise over time and
the use of modern devices. As we look closer at the characteristics and habits of youth that are
obese today and compare them to youth that are considered healthy with a lower BMI. One
study in Pediatrics Journal monitors 2 randomized samples of youth in the U.S for 7 months
restricting media devices and screen time with one group and leaving the other group, “to their
devices.” The restricted group had reduction in BMI and the control group had increased BMI
Katie Letson
SNHU Applied Social Science
, 1
SCS 200
Milestone 2
10/10/2021
I. The social science issue I have chosen to investigate is if screen time with modern
devices is causing the rise in obesity of youth? This issue has been widely researched, adding a
different variable or specific group of youth to study. If I look at my issue through the lens of an
anthropologist, I can see a clear rise in obesity of American youth over the past 40 years. One
common connection that continues to stand out is modern device screen time usage and youth
obesity increase. Young people have been spending more time with modern day technical media
and communication devices, such as cell phones, gaming consoles, internet, social media
platforms, and tablets. It has become a social norm to always have and use these devices. Most
American youth and adults have become dependent on these devices for every aspect of life.
Although, I am not young, I am not the exception. Just the other day, I accidentally left my
smart phone at home and had to go to dinner to meet friends. I drove halfway to another city and
couldn’t figure out where I was going next without my navigation app. Then I was late so I
thought well I will just call and explain. Suddenly I am realizing I can’t call without a phone,
and I don’t know one person’s phone number to attempt to call anyone anyway.
A definite pattern appears to show a correlation between the obesity rise over time and
the use of modern devices. As we look closer at the characteristics and habits of youth that are
obese today and compare them to youth that are considered healthy with a lower BMI. One
study in Pediatrics Journal monitors 2 randomized samples of youth in the U.S for 7 months
restricting media devices and screen time with one group and leaving the other group, “to their
devices.” The restricted group had reduction in BMI and the control group had increased BMI
