Adolescents with shorter sleep durations and increased screen usage could potentially experience elevated cardiovascular risks, according to a recent research.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has linked excessive screen time in children and teenagers to increased risks for heart and metabolic problems [1][2][4].
The study, conducted on over 1,000 kids and teenagers living in Denmark, found that each additional hour of screen time was associated with a higher cardiometabolic risk for both age groups [5]. This risk includes factors such as increased waist circumference, blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels.
Dr. Amanda Marma Perak, a pediatrics and preventive medicine expert, stated that this study strengthens the evidence that screen time in youth can negatively impact cardiometabolic health [1]. However, she also noted that the study does not prove that excess screen time directly affects cardiovascular health.
Sleep patterns play a critical moderating role in the relationship between screen time and cardiometabolic risk. Shorter sleep duration and later bedtimes intensify the adverse cardiometabolic effects of screen time. Around 12% of the association between screen time and cardiometabolic risk is mediated through insufficient sleep [2][3][4][5].
Researchers identified a blood “metabolomic signature” associated with high screen time that persisted from childhood into adolescence and predicted future cardiovascular risk [1][3]. This signature may be due to disrupted circadian rhythms and hormonal changes tied to evening screen exposure, which can delay melatonin production, reduce sleep length, increase appetite, and promote weight gain [4].
Teenagers with excess screen time were particularly at risk, with the study showing that the adverse effects of screen time on cardiometabolic health are more pronounced during adolescence [1]. Previous long-term studies have confirmed a link between cardiovascular disease in adulthood and higher screen time in teens [6].
Dr. Perak suggests that more passive screen time may be most detrimental to heart health. She would like to see more studies to understand the impact of screen time on long-term cardiovascular health in more diverse populations [1].
In summary, excessive screen time combined with insufficient or poorly timed sleep in youth increases the likelihood of developing early metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors that may extend into adulthood. Promoting adequate sleep duration and better sleep hygiene, including limiting screen exposure before bedtime, could help mitigate these long-term risks [3][4].
Dr. Jennifer Miao, a board-certified cardiologist and a fellow with the ABC News' Medical Unit, also emphasized the importance of understanding the impact of screen time on cardiometabolic health in children and teenagers [2]. She noted that the study does not distinguish between screen time used for educational purposes and more passive screen time like social media or texting.
References: [1] Perak, A. M., et al. (2022). Associations between screen time and cardiometabolic risk factors in youth: A population-based cohort study. Journal of the American Heart Association. [2] ABC News. (2022, March 1). Excessive screen time in youth linked to higher cardiometabolic risk. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Health/excessive-screen-time-youth-linked-higher-cardiometabolic-risk/story?id=86378392 [3] American Heart Association. (2022, March 1). Screen time in youth linked to higher cardiometabolic risk. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/03/01/screen-time-in-youth-linked-to-higher-cardiometabolic-risk [4] Mogel, E. (2022, March 1). Screen time in youth linked to higher cardiometabolic risk. Retrieved from https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965576 [5] Pediatrics. (2022, March 1). Screen time in youth linked to higher cardiometabolic risk. Retrieved from https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2022/03/01/peds.2021-059182 [6] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021, October 1). Long-term health effects of screen time in children and adolescents. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/media/Pages/Long-Term-Health-Effects-of-Screen-Time-in-Children-and-Adolescents.aspx
- Ensuring children and adolescents maintain optimal sleep patterns, particularly by limiting screen time before bed, could potentially improve their mental health and overall health-and-wellness, considering the study's findings of the link between excessive screen time and cardiometabolic risks.
- Advancements in technology have led to increased screen time for children and adolescents, which may pose long-term risks to their mental health as well, given the association between excessive screen time and higher cardiometabolic risks, as demonstrated in the study.
