Excessive Screen Time Linked to Higher Cardiometabolic Risks in Youth, Study Finds
TL;DR
Reducing screen time can give children and young adults a competitive edge by lowering their risk of cardiometabolic diseases, enhancing long-term health and performance.
Research links increased screen time in youth to higher cardiometabolic risk scores, with each additional hour of screen time elevating risk by 0.08 to 0.13 standard deviations.
Limiting screen time among youth promotes better sleep and reduces cardiometabolic risks, contributing to a healthier future generation and a more vibrant society.
A study reveals a 'screen-time fingerprint' in blood metabolites, offering a novel way to track and potentially mitigate early cardiometabolic risks in children and adolescents.
Found this article helpful?
Share it with your network and spread the knowledge!
Children and young adults who spend excessive hours on electronic devices or watching TV may face higher risks for cardiometabolic diseases, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The research, involving over 1,000 participants in Denmark, found that each additional hour of screen time was associated with an increase in cardiometabolic risk scores, suggesting a cumulative effect that could have long-term health implications.
The study, led by David Horner, M.D., PhD., from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood at the University of Copenhagen, utilized data from two cohorts to examine the relationship between recreational screen time and cardiometabolic risk factors. The findings indicate that limiting screen time in childhood and adolescence could be a crucial step in protecting long-term heart and metabolic health. Notably, the association between screen time and cardiometabolic risk was more pronounced among youth who slept fewer hours, highlighting sleep duration as a potential mediator in this relationship.
Further analysis revealed a unique metabolic signature in the blood associated with screen time, suggesting biological impacts that could signal early risks for cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Amanda Marma Perak, M.D., M.S.CI., FAHA, chair of the American Heart Association’s Young Hearts Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Committee, emphasized the importance of addressing screen habits early on and modeling healthy screen use for children and adolescents.
While the study provides valuable insights into the potential health risks associated with excessive screen time, it also acknowledges limitations, including the reliance on self-reported data for screen time measurements. Future research could explore interventions, such as reducing screen exposure before bedtime, to mitigate cardiometabolic risks. The study underscores the importance of fostering healthy lifestyle habits from an early age to safeguard against long-term health challenges.
Curated from NewMediaWire
