Watching TV can trigger metabolic syndrome

For nearly half a century, parents have told their children to watch less TV. Otherwise, your eyes will become square.

While studies have proven that’s not the case, the University of Otago is adding to the evidence that children who watch too much TV are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome later in life.

Professor Bob Hancox, an Otago preventive and social medicine researcher, said the syndrome is a constellation of conditions, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat and abnormal cholesterol levels, that lead to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Using data from 879 participants in the Dunedin Interdisciplinary Health Development Study, the researchers found that those who watched more television between the ages of 5 and 15 were more likely to have these conditions at age 45.

They watched an average of just over two hours of TV each weekday.

“People who watched the most videos had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome in adulthood.

“More TV viewing during childhood was also associated with increased risk of obesity and physical fitness.”

Boys were slightly more likely to watch TV than girls, and metabolic syndrome was more common in men, with 34% of men and 20% of women.

However, the association between childhood TV viewing and adult metabolic syndrome was found in both men and women, and may even have been stronger in women, he said.

There was little evidence that reduced television viewing in adulthood reduced the association between childhood television viewing and adult health.

“As with other observational studies, researchers cannot demonstrate a direct link between TV viewing at a young age and metabolic syndrome in adults, but there are several possible mechanisms by which increased TV viewing may lead to long-term deterioration in health,” Hancox said.

“Watching TV is low energy, which can interfere with physical activity and reduce sleep quality.

“Screen time may also promote increased energy intake, with children eating less fruits and vegetables and more sugary drinks and high-fat foods.

“These habits can continue into adulthood.”

He said the results were important because screen time has increased in recent years with the advent of new technologies.

“Today’s children have much more access to screen-based entertainment and spend much more time sitting down.

“This could have even more detrimental effects on adult health.

“These findings support the World Health Organization’s recommendations that children and teens should limit their screen time for entertainment,” he said.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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