Researchers from Denmark have found that excessive time spent in front of screens on smartphones, computers and televisions can seriously affect the cardiovascular health of children and adolescents. The results of their study are published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
The study involved more than a thousand young people aged 10 to 18. The analysis showed that each additional hour of screen time significantly increased the risk of developing high blood pressure and insulin resistance, a condition that often precedes diabetes.
If a child or teenager spends 5–6 hours a day in front of screens, the risk of these problems increases by 40–60%. The combination of prolonged use of gadgets with sleep disorders - late falling asleep and lack of rest - is especially dangerous. At the same time, about 12% of the impact of screen time on heart health was found to be due to sleep problems.
Scientists have also identified a specific “metabolic fingerprint” in the blood of teenagers that may serve as an early signal of future heart disease, a finding that highlights the importance of forming healthy habits early in life.
Experts advise limiting screen time and monitoring sleep patterns to reduce health risks in adulthood.
Other studies have previously shown that even a single meal high in saturated fat temporarily impairs blood flow to the brain, which may increase the risk of strokes and dementia in older age.
