child health

The study in Scientific Reports suggests every hour spent using a touchscreen each day was linked to 15 minutes less sleep.

However, those playing with touchscreens do develop their fine motor skills more quickly.

Experts said the study was "timely" but parents should not lose sleep over it.

There has been an explosion in touchscreens in the home, but understanding their impact on early childhood development has been lacking.

The study by Birkbeck, University of London, questioned 715 parents of children under three years old.

And a busy life also means unhealthy diet and lack of sleep as they try to cope up with the homework and assignments, and added responsibilities and obligations that come with age.

As an adult in a child’s life, it is important for parents and guardians to remember that a healthy, balanced diet for children provides essential vitamins, minerals and other nutritional goodies that kids need for healthy growth and development.

Introducing the topic at a multi-sector consultation on the policy and strategic plan for Nutrition in Vanuatu for 2016 to 2020 at The Melanesian Hotel in Port Vila last week, Ministry of Health Nutritionist Louisa Tokon gave statistics that pointed to an obvious poor stage of nutrition for children in the country.

She said 4.4% of the 28% of children under 5 with stunting condition, have acute malnutrition.