As Screen Time Goes Up, So Might Youths’ Heart Risk
Quick Facts
- More time on electronic devices may raise risk for heart and metabolic problems.
- The risk appears higher for kids and teens who don’t get enough sleep.
- Healthy screen habits can help protect long-term health.
Kids and young adults who spend too much time on screens may have a higher risk for some health problems. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance, research shows. These problems can lead to heart disease later.
An earlier report said such risks are showing up at younger ages. Only about 3 of 10 kids in the U.S., ages 2 to 19, had good heart and metabolic health.
What the study found
Researchers looked at the time youths spent:
- Watching TV
- Playing video games
- Using phones, tablets or computers
They measured different factors to figure out a risk score. These included waist size, blood pressure, “good” cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar.
The study team found that:
- For 10-year-olds, every extra hour of screen time raised the risk score a little.
- For 18-year-olds, every extra hour raised the score even more.
Sleep matters
Not sleeping enough or staying up late had an impact. For kids and teens who did that, the link between more screen time and poorer health was stronger.
How to help
Adults can set a good example by showing healthy ways to use devices. This means:
- Knowing when to turn them off
- Using them for the right reasons
- Avoiding too much multitasking
Good habits now can help protect heart health for years to come.
