Technology and Chronic Disease

I heard a very interesting presentation this afternoon at the weekly meeting of the Portsmouth Rotary Club.  The presenter was representing the Partnership To Fight Chronic Disease.  He spoke mostly of obesity, though there are many additional chronic diseases that afflict millions of people around the world.  What I found most interesting about his presentation, was when he was discussing the effects technology has had on the rate of chronic disease.  While you might think technology would help reduce it, it is actually a contributor, especially for a chronic condition like obesity.  The basic premise of the argument is that technology has enabled a more sedentary lifestyle and thus contributes to a chronic condition like obesity.  Obviously, a chronic disease, of any variety, may have more than one contributing cause, but as someone who works in the technology industry, the argument caught my attention.  I can certainly see the risks, especially for our youngest generation, who are more at ease with technology and very likely to spend an afternoon "gaming" rather than playing baseball.  It's a concern and a challenge to be addressed.  The Partnership, in this season of heavy political campaigning, is encouraging all American's to challenge all candidates for elected office to consider the rising rates of chronic disease and what we, as a society, will do to address this serious issue.