A new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association finds excessive, recreational screen time puts children and teens at greater risk for cardiometabolic diseases.
Too much screen time could be putting kids’ hearts at risk.
A new study from the Journal of the American Heart Association links excessive, recreational screen time to greater odds of cardiometabolic diseases in children and teens, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance.
Researchers analyzed tech, sleep and health data from two groups of adolescents who were monitored since birth and underwent body composition analysis at the age of 10 or 18.
The participants were given cardiometabolic risk scores based on their waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, HDL or good cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose.
Overall, the results showed each extra hour spent glued to a phone, tablet or TV was associated with a significant increase in cardiometabolic risk.
The lead author says, “It’s a small change per hour, but when screen time accumulates to three, five or even six hours a day, as we saw in many adolescents, that adds up.”
And less sleep and later bedtimes amplified the risk, according to the researchers.
They say limiting screen time in childhood may protect long-term heart and metabolic health.
A 2023 scientific statement from the American Heart Association noted that “cardiometabolic risk is accruing at younger and younger ages,” and only 29% of American youth have favorable cardiometabolic health.
Source: Journal of the American Heart Association
Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply