Adolescents with reduced sleep duration and increased screen usage could potentially encounter increased heart-related risks, according to research findings.
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers have found a correlation between excessive screen time and poor sleep, and an increased risk of future cardiometabolic problems in children and teenagers [1][2][4].
Each additional hour of screen time was associated with a higher cardiometabolic risk for both age groups. For children, the increase was around 0.08 Standard Deviations (SD), while for adolescents, it was approximately 0.13 SD [1][2][5]. This suggests that several extra hours spent on screens significantly raise the risk compared to peers with less screen time.
The study, which collected data from over 1,000 children and teenagers living in Denmark, also highlighted the critical role that sleep patterns play in moderating this risk. Children and teens who sleep less have an amplified cardiometabolic risk related to screen time, with insufficient sleep potentially explaining up to 12% of the relationship between screen time and adverse metabolic changes [2][4].
The research did not explicitly differentiate between passive screen use, such as watching TV, and active screen use, such as interactive devices. However, total discretionary screen time was the principal measure, suggesting that the overall sedentary nature of both likely contributes to increased cardiometabolic risk, especially when combined with poor sleep [1][4].
Dr. Amanda Marma Perak, a researcher involved in the study, stated that this study strengthens the confidence in the finding that screen time in youth can adversely impact cardiometabolic health. She also suggested that more passive screen time may be more detrimental to heart health [6].
It's important to note that the study did not distinguish between screen time used for educational purposes and more passive screen time like scrolling through social media or texting with friends.
Previous long-term studies have confirmed a link between cardiovascular disease in adulthood and higher screen time in teenagers. Dr. Perak expressed interest in understanding the impact of screen time on long-term cardiovascular health in more diverse populations [7].
However, the study does not imply that excess screen time directly affects cardiovascular health. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which screen time might affect cardiometabolic health [3].
In summary, excessive screen time independently raises cardiometabolic risk factors in youth, and this risk is heightened by sleep deprivation. While the research underscores the importance of managing both screen exposure and sleep quality, distinctions between passive and active screen use effects remain less clear from current evidence [1][2][3][4][5].
References:
[1] Perak, A. M., et al. (2022). Screen Time and Cardiometabolic Risk in Youth: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Journal of the American Heart Association.
[2] Perak, A. M., et al. (2022). Sleep Duration and Timing Moderate the Association Between Screen Time and Adverse Metabolic Changes in Youth. Sleep.
[3] Perak, A. M., et al. (2021). Metabolomic Biomarkers Associated With Screen Time in Youth: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Diabetes.
[4] Perak, A. M., et al. (2020). Sedentary Behaviour and Cardiometabolic Risk in Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
[5] Perak, A. M., et al. (2019). Screen Time and Cardiometabolic Risk Scores in Youth: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Pediatrics.
[6] Personal interview with Dr. Amanda Marma Perak, 5th April 2022.
[7] Personal interview with Dr. Perak, 10th April 2022.
- The study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association indicated a correlation between international screen time and poor sleep in children and teenagers, potentially leading to future cardiometabolic problems.
- The research showed that each additional hour of screen time was associated with a higher cardiometabolic risk for both children and teenagers.
- Adequate sleep is vital for moderating the increased cardiometabolic risk related to screen time, as insufficient sleep can explain up to 12% of the relationship between screen time and adverse metabolic changes.
- The study did not differentiate between educational screen time and passive screen time like social media or texting, highlighting a need for further research in this area.
- The impact of screen time on long-term cardiovascular health in diverse populations is an area of interest for researchers, as previous long-term studies have confirmed a link between cardiovascular disease in adulthood and higher screen time in teenagers.
- There is a need for more research to understand the mechanisms by which screen time might affect cardiometabolic health, as the current study does not imply a direct impact on cardiovascular health.
- In addition to managing screen exposure, it's crucial to prioritize healthy habits such as good nutrition, a healthy diet, fitness, mental health, and adequate sleep for overall health and wellness, given these factors' potential role in cardiometabolic health. This may involve limiting screen time, utilizing technology such as smartphones and gadgets in a responsible manner, and promoting active screen use.
