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Does your child watch a lot of TV? Her cardio-metabolic future is at stake

The finding is alarming: Children who spend a lot of time in front of the television are more likely in adulthood to develop a group of metabolic disorders grouped under the term “metabolic syndrome.”

This is what a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand reveals and published in July 2023 in the journal Pediatrics.(1).

By following a group of 879 New Zealanders born in 1972-1973 for 40 years, scientists were able to establish a statistical link between screen time during childhood and the onset of high blood pressure at age 45. Hyperglycemia (too high blood sugar), excess body fat and cholesterol: The combination of these disorders, called “metabolic syndrome,” triples the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Metabolic syndrome, the silent enemy

Concretely, a person with metabolic syndrome has at least 3 of the following anomalies:

  • The waist circumference is too large, revealing the accumulation of abdominal fat.
  • Blood pressure higher than 130/85 mmHg;
  • Blood triglyceride level greater than 1.5 g/L;
  • An HDL cholesterol level (“good” cholesterol) is less than 0.4 g/L in men and 0.5 g/L in women;
  • Fasting blood sugar level is greater than 1 g/L.

Although initially silent, this syndrome is by no means trivial. In addition to the risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, it also promotes the occurrence of some cancers, liver and kidney diseases, and cognitive diseases.

It is estimated that today one in four adults suffer from this metabolic syndrome in France. The numbers continue to grow, especially among the youngest.

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Especially television

According to the New Zealand study, early and prolonged exposure to screens is a major risk factor for this syndrome in adulthood.

By asking participants about their childhood television viewing habits and then measuring some biological factors at age 45, the researchers were able to establish a statistical link between time spent watching television between the ages of 5 and 15 and the risk of developing metabolic syndrome as adults. Age 45.' Puberty.

Thus, children who watched television for more than 3 hours per day on average had twice the risk of developing metabolic syndrome at age 45 compared to those who were exposed to it for less than 1 hour per day.

Why does television promote these disorders?

There are several mechanisms that play a role in explaining this phenomenon:

Physical inactivity

Sitting or lying for long hours in front of a screen from an early age significantly reduces children's physical activity.

However, it is known that physical inactivity is a major risk factor for weight gain, but also for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. It also promotes insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes.

food

Long TV sessions are often accompanied by snacking, with increased consumption of fatty, salty and sugary foods that do not contain many nutrients.

In addition, children are bombarded with advertisements extolling the virtues of these ultra-processed products, which can permanently shape their unhealthy food preferences.

sleep

The time we spend watching TV often comes at the expense of sleep, which is essential for good metabolic health. Studies show that lack of sleep can disrupt some of the hormones that regulate hunger, increasing the risk of weight gain.

Amplifying effects in girls

Although boys spend more time watching TV on average than girls, metabolic syndrome in adulthood is more common in girls.

20% of women in the study developed this syndrome by age 45, compared to 34% of men.

This gap may be explained by girls' greater sensitivity to the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle and excessive exposure to images of thinness conveyed by the media.

What to do?

These results confirm the significant role that habits acquired in childhood play on health in adulthood. They stress the importance of limiting and regulating young people's exposure to television, and here are some recommendations to preserve your children's health:

  • Limit screen time to a maximum of one hour per day until age 6, then a maximum of two hours between ages 7 and 12;
  • Preference for educational programmes, documentaries and animation over negative programmes;
  • Accompany your child in his television activities: comment on what you watch together;
  • Promote outdoor activities and sports;
  • Make sure your child gets enough sleep;
  • Watch your diet: avoid fast food and snacks in front of the TV.

Dr. Andrew Smith, co-author of the study, summarizes these issues well: “Although we cannot prove that childhood TV time directly causes metabolic syndrome in adulthood, our findings reinforce current recommendations to limit screen time in children.”.

So mark your calendar: plan outdoor activities today to share special moments with your kids! Their future health will thank you.

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Does your child watch a lot of TV? Her cardio-metabolic future is at stake

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