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'Pushing an agenda': CBS slammed for segment linking childhood obesity to climate change

'CBS Mornings' cited a study that said 'climate change, specifically warmer temperatures is making our children more inactive and more obese'

'CBS Mornings' has recently come under ridicule when a segment hosted by Nate Burleson introduced a study that linked childhood obesity and climate change. According to the study published in journal Temperature, "climate change, specifically warmer temperatures is making our children more inactive and more obese."

The study argued that the aerobic fitness of children was 30% less than that of their parents. It also said children were less keen to go outside and exercise owing to hotter temperatures. The segment aired on Thursday, August 11, 2022. 

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While the segment was centered on the issue of climate change, the host also commented on other factors that are known to affect obesity among children. Among these, he spoke about the role played by technology, the advent of video games and cell phone addiction among the youth. Burleson remarked, "Now listen, it has been a lot hotter, and the weather has been crazy, but I think it also has to do with technology, you know. It’s one thing not to go outside, but these kids don’t go outside because they can stay inside and be on their phones, play video games, and be social without having to go outside and be social."

However, owing to the segment's primary focus on climate change as a cause behind the rising number of obesity cases, several people took to social media platforms to slam the show. Users on Twitter felt that the recent Covid pandemic and subsequent lockdowns should have been acknowledged as a contributing factor.

Meanwhile, the idea that technology is the key factor behind the deteriorating levels of fitness was stressed by several people. One user wrote: "Its not climate change.. its giving them an ipad at 2 years old instead of letting them roam a playpen.." Another person mentioned the lack of physical activity promoted by schools: "Wouldn’t have anything to do with schools getting rid of recess or the huge amount of time parents substitute a IPad in for parenting." 

Spencer Hall, managing editor at Townhall, wrote: "This has nothing to do with kids and everything to do with pushing an agenda. If they cared about the health of kids they would have blasted Dems for spending two years dismantling playgrounds and keeping kids locked indoors learning through computer screens." This was retweeted by Deseret News contributing writer Bethany Mandel who also mocked CBS, saying, "Do you think it could be… nah, couldn’t be. Must be the climate change."

Notably, childhood obesity is a serious health issue in America. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity now affects 1 in 5 children and adolescents in the US. 

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