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NDTV
2 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
New Study Links Excess Screen Time To Heart Risks In Children: How To Protect Your Child
In today's digital era, children multitask between smartphones, online classes, gaming, and streaming, even during homework breaks or before bedtime. But what if this ever on screen exposure isn't just affecting their focus or mood, but their heart health too? A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association sounds this alarm: each extra hour of leisure screen time, be it scrolling social media, binge watching, or gaming, pushes up cardiometabolic risk in kids and teens. For Indian parents juggling school schedules, tuitions, and digital distractions, this study rings particularly relevant. It's not just an abstract Western problem-it's a global wake up call. So, let's dive deep into the research, break down the heart health ripple effects for Indian families, and walk you through practical, culturally attuned strategies to reduce screen time and support healthy sleep and routines. Read on to know how small tweaks today can safeguard our children's hearts for decades to come. Understanding The Study: What Was Discovered? Researchers used two Danish longitudinal cohorts totalling over 1,000 mother child or adolescent pairs (COPSAC2010 and COPSAC2000). Screen time was parent reported or self reported; sleep and physical activity were objectively measured using accelerometers over a two week span. Cardiometabolic risk (CMR) was computed using five markers-waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, HDL (good) cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose. Key findings of the study: Each extra hour of screen time raised cardiometabolic risk by around 0.08 standard deviations in children (6-10 years) and roughly 0.13 in adolescents (18 years). Sleep played a crucial role because children with shorter or later sleep schedules showed significantly stronger risk ties. Sleep duration mediated around 12% of the screen time cardiometabolic risk link, highlighting that better sleep can buffer some harm. A distinct "screen time fingerprint" of 37 blood-based biomarkers (metabolomics signature) was identified, offering a biological signal connecting screen habits to metabolic changes. Adolescents also showed higher predicted 10 year adult cardiovascular disease risk based on that signature. The study is observational-not proving causality, but showing dose dependent associations and rich mechanistic insights. Why This Study Matters For Indian Parents And Kids Though the data are Danish, the findings resonate across geographies, including India. Screen time among Indian children has surged (especially thanks to the increase in online classes and smartphone usage since 2020), sleep is often compromised, and cardiometabolic issues like childhood obesity and insulin resistance are rising. Here are a few more links that can be clearly made between this study and global as well as Indian kids' habits. Sedentary habits are heart harmful: This and previous studies have shown sedentary screen time contributes to increased heart weight and structural changes, even when body weight and blood pressure remain normal. Sleep disruptions add to risk: Screens before bed, common in Indian households where family dinner time is also often spent in front of the television, delay sleep onset via blue light and overstimulation, worsening metabolic outcomes. Language and development: Excessive screens, especially in early years, undermine face to face interaction and cognitive development and academic readiness, all aggravating the broader picture. Practical, Friendly Tips To Reduce Screen Time And Boost Heart Health In Children If you, as a parent or guardian, want to reduce your children's screen time and simultaneously boost heart health, then here are a few easy, practical and yet, friendly ways to do so: Set daily screen time limits Keep children's leisure screen time under two hours per day, excluding school-related use. This helps in lowering their cumulative exposure. Another friendly trick? Allow screen time for specific shows or cartoon slots in your chosen language, so it doesn't spill over into hours of aimless scrolling. Create screen-free zones and times Identify parts of the day or areas in your home where screens are not allowed-such as the dining table, during prayers, meditation or exercise hours, or before bedtime. Establishing a "no phone during chai time" or "family lunch = no devices" routine can work wonders. Avoid screens at least one hour before bedtime This allows melatonin (the sleep hormone) to function properly, promoting deeper sleep. Instead of TV or mobile devices, switch to story time in your child's mother tongue, light reading, or calming music-habits that also support emotional bonding. Encourage outdoor or indoor active play Physical activity helps burn off sedentary time and improves heart function. For younger kids, make time for games like skipping rope. If outdoor space is a problem, even dancing to your family's favourite tunes at home helps. Be a role model and limit your own screen time Children mimic what they see. If you're constantly on your phone, they'll assume it's normal. So, during family time, put your phone away. Instead, cook together, play a board game, or go for a short family walk. Lead by example. Promote hands-on hobbies and quiet time Offer your child alternatives to screen-based entertainment. Encourage art, building blocks, puzzles, colouring, local crafts, or DIY activities like drawing a comic strip or writing their own short story. This not only limits screen time but boosts creativity. Use parental controls smartly Many phones and tablets come with built-in parental controls. Set daily screen limits or schedule "downtime" on devices. Prioritize good sleep hygiene Since sleep plays a big role in offsetting the harms of screen time, ensure your child goes to bed and wakes up at regular times, even on weekends. Keep bedrooms screen-free and create a calming bedtime routine like a warm bath or simple prayers. Communicate openly-not just rules, but reasons Instead of commanding "no phone!", explain why. Use simple language: "Our hearts grow stronger when we play, move, sleep well, and don't stare at screens too much." The more kids understand the why, the more they'll cooperate with the how. A Note on Holistic Heart Health Beyond screens, combine healthy meals (local fruits, dals, millets), regular movement, and stress free routines like family walks or storytelling time. As highlighted before, earlier onset of metabolic disease calls for integrated approaches and screen limits are an entry point to broader heart healthy lifestyles. This study offers an early warning, but also hope. By trimming screen time and nurturing sleep and active routines, parents can safeguard their kids' hearts both now and for the long haul. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Excessive screen time raises heart disease risk: study
Copenhagen: Children who spend too much time in front of screens, whether phones or TVs, have an increased risk of heart and metabolic disease, according to a Danish study published Wednesday. The study tracked the screen consumption and sleep habits of more than 1,000 10-year and 18-year-olds, with researchers examining the relationship between screen time and cardiometabolic risk factors. "Children and young adults who spend excessive hours glued to screens and electronic devices may have higher risks for cardiometabolic diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance," said the study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Subsequently they face a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases or diabetes, the researchers found. The analysis revealed that each additional hour of daily screen time increases the risk of disease. "This means a child with three extra hours of screen time a day would have roughly a quarter to half a standard-deviation higher risk than their peers," lead author David Horner, a researcher at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, said in a statement. "Multiply that across a whole population of children, and you're looking at a meaningful shift in early cardiometabolic risk that could carry into adulthood," Horner added. Researchers are divided on the potential harmful effects of screens on children and adolescents, but the majority agree that younger populations are more at risk compared to adults.
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Excessive screen time raises heart disease risk: study
Children who spend too much time in front of screens, whether phones or TVs, have an increased risk of heart and metabolic disease, according to a Danish study published yesterday. The study tracked the screen consumption and sleep habits of more than 1,000 10-year and 18-year-olds, with researchers examining the relationship between screen time and cardiometabolic risk factors. 'Children and young adults who spend excessive hours glued to screens and electronic devices may have higher risks for cardiometabolic diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance,' said the study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Subsequently they face a higher risk of developing cardiovasculardiseases or diabetes, the researchers found. The analysis revealed that eachadditional hour of daily screentime increases the risk of disease. 'This means a child with threeextra hours of screen time a daywould have roughly a quarter tohalf a standard-deviation higherrisk than their peers,' lead authorDavid Horner, a researcher at theUniversity of Copenhagen in Denmark, said in a statement. 'Multiply that across a wholepopulation of children, and you'relooking at a meaningful shift inearly cardiometabolic risk thatcould carry into adulthood,'Horner added. Researchers are divided onthe potential harmful effects ofscreens on children and adolescents, but the majority agree thatyounger populations are more atrisk compared to adults.
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
Excessive screen time for children linked to later heart health risks
The time children and teens spend video gaming, scrolling through social media or watching TV could be putting their future heart health at risk, a new study says. Each additional hour of screen time is associated with an increase in heart risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, researchers reported today in the Journal of the American Heart Association. "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," lead investigator David Horner, a researcher at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, said in a news release. "Multiply that across a whole population of children, and you're looking at a meaningful shift in early cardiometabolic risk that could carry into adulthood," Horner added. For the study, researchers pooled data from more than 1,000 participants in two Danish studies of childhood health. Each child received a heart health risk score based on factors like waist size, blood pressure, "good" HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar, researchers said. Parents reported on the kids' screen time. Every hour a child or teen spent glued to a screen caused those risk factors to tilt toward the bad, results showed. A child's sleep patterns contributed to this risk, researchers added. Both shorter sleep duration and hitting the sack later intensified the relationship between screen time and heart health risk, results show. Kids and teens who had less sleep showed significantly higher risk associated with the same amount of screen time. "About 12% of the association between screen time and cardiometabolic risk was mediated through shorter sleep duration," Horner said. "These findings suggest that insufficient sleep may not only magnify the impact of screen time but could be a key pathway linking screen habits to early metabolic changes." An artificial intelligence analysis found that kids' blood carried a set of markers -- what researchers called a "screen-time fingerprint" -- that could predict how much time they'd been spending with screens, researchers added. "We also assessed whether screen time was linked to predicted cardiovascular risk in adulthood, finding a positive trend in childhood and a significant association in adolescence," Horner said. "This suggests that screen-related metabolic changes may carry early signals of long-term heart health risk." Since this was an observational study, the research cannot prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between screen time and heart health, researchers noted. Nevertheless, pediatricians should consider a discussion of children's screen habits during regular check-ups, Horner said. The results also highlight the importance of good sleep to a child's health, said Dr. Amanda Marma Perak, chair of the American Heart Association's Young Hearts Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Committee. Perak, who was not involved in this research, reviewed the findings. "If cutting back on screen time feels difficult, start by moving screen time earlier and focusing on getting into bed earlier and for longer," said Perak, an assistant professor of pediatrics and preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Parents also should be prepared to set a good example, she added in a news release. "All of us use screens, so it's important to guide kids, teens and young adults to healthy screen use in a way that grows with them," Perak said. "As a parent, you can model healthy screen use -- when to put it away, how to use it, how to avoid multitasking. And as kids get a little older, be more explicit, narrating why you put away your devices during dinner or other times together." It's also important to teach kids how to entertain themselves without a screen, and to handle the discomfort that comes with boredom, Perak said. "Boredom breeds brilliance and creativity, so don't be bothered when your kids complain they're bored," Perak said. "Loneliness and discomfort will happen throughout life, so those are opportunities to support and mentor your kids in healthy ways to respond that don't involve scrolling." More information Johns Hopkins Medicine has more on the effects of screen time on children. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
6 days ago
- Health
- UPI
Excessive screen time for children linked to later heart health risks
University of Denmark researchers say the time children spend video gaming, scrolling through social media or watching TV could be putting their future heart health at risk. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo The time children and teens spend video gaming, scrolling through social media or watching TV could be putting their future heart health at risk, a new study says. Each additional hour of screen time is associated with an increase in heart risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, researchers reported today in the Journal of the American Heart Association. "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," lead investigator David Horner, a researcher at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, said in a news release. "Multiply that across a whole population of children, and you're looking at a meaningful shift in early cardiometabolic risk that could carry into adulthood," Horner added. For the study, researchers pooled data from more than 1,000 participants in two Danish studies of childhood health. Each child received a heart health risk score based on factors like waist size, blood pressure, "good" HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar, researchers said. Parents reported on the kids' screen time. Every hour a child or teen spent glued to a screen caused those risk factors to tilt toward the bad, results showed. A child's sleep patterns contributed to this risk, researchers added. Both shorter sleep duration and hitting the sack later intensified the relationship between screen time and heart health risk, results show. Kids and teens who had less sleep showed significantly higher risk associated with the same amount of screen time. "About 12% of the association between screen time and cardiometabolic risk was mediated through shorter sleep duration," Horner said. "These findings suggest that insufficient sleep may not only magnify the impact of screen time but could be a key pathway linking screen habits to early metabolic changes." An artificial intelligence analysis found that kids' blood carried a set of markers -- what researchers called a "screen-time fingerprint" -- that could predict how much time they'd been spending with screens, researchers added. "We also assessed whether screen time was linked to predicted cardiovascular risk in adulthood, finding a positive trend in childhood and a significant association in adolescence," Horner said. "This suggests that screen-related metabolic changes may carry early signals of long-term heart health risk." Since this was an observational study, the research cannot prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between screen time and heart health, researchers noted. Nevertheless, pediatricians should consider a discussion of children's screen habits during regular check-ups, Horner said. The results also highlight the importance of good sleep to a child's health, said Dr. Amanda Marma Perak, chair of the American Heart Association's Young Hearts Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Committee. Perak, who was not involved in this research, reviewed the findings. "If cutting back on screen time feels difficult, start by moving screen time earlier and focusing on getting into bed earlier and for longer," said Perak, an assistant professor of pediatrics and preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Parents also should be prepared to set a good example, she added in a news release. "All of us use screens, so it's important to guide kids, teens and young adults to healthy screen use in a way that grows with them," Perak said. "As a parent, you can model healthy screen use -- when to put it away, how to use it, how to avoid multitasking. And as kids get a little older, be more explicit, narrating why you put away your devices during dinner or other times together." It's also important to teach kids how to entertain themselves without a screen, and to handle the discomfort that comes with boredom, Perak said. "Boredom breeds brilliance and creativity, so don't be bothered when your kids complain they're bored," Perak said. "Loneliness and discomfort will happen throughout life, so those are opportunities to support and mentor your kids in healthy ways to respond that don't involve scrolling." More information Johns Hopkins Medicine has more on the effects of screen time on children. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
