Increased risk of heart disease through computer & TV

Long computer and television sessions in childhood increase the risk of heart disease in adulthood

21/04/2011

Children who spend a lot of time in front of the TV or computer screen are at an increased risk of heart disease in adulthood, researchers from the Institute of Ophthalmology at the University of Sydney report in the latest issue of the journal „Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology“ the American Heart Society.

The scientists found that children who spend a lot of time in front of the monitor have narrower retinal arteries than children who play a lot outdoors and are not sitting on the television or computer. The condition of retinal arteries in adults is an indicator of potential heart problems. Their study results suggest, „that an unhealthy lifestyle at an early age affects microcirculation, increasing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure“, said Bamini Gopinath from the University of Sydney.

Narrowed retinal arteries indicating increased risk of heart disease
As part of their investigation, the scientists had examined 1,492 children and asked their parents by questionnaire about the activities of the children. Factors such as body weight, height, gender and blood pressure were also taken into account, write Bamini Gopinath and colleagues. The researchers found that the six- and seven-year-olds, who spent a lot of time in front of the TV or computer, had narrower arteries in the retina of the eye than did children who were out and about a lot. For example, the arteries in the more physically active children were on average 0.0022 millimeters farther than the girls and boys who spend a lot of time in front of the screen. Since there is an association between the arterial structure and the occurrence of heart disease in adulthood, it can be assumed that the physically inactive children are exposed to an increased heart disease risk, the Australian researchers report.

Physical activity beneficial for blood circulation and arterial walls
The fact that the more active children who exercise more than one hour a day had significantly more arteries than children who are physically active for 30 minutes or less per day, according to the experts, illustrates the importance of physical exertion for the blood circulation and arterial walls is. Overall, adolescents spend an average of 1.9 hours a day watching TV and only 36 minutes playing sports or playing outdoors, given the health risks involved, researchers from the University of Sydney said. Bamini Gopinath recommends: „Schools should make at least two hours of sports a week compulsory for all children“.

School sports will hardly help those affected
But to compensate for the lack of physical activity with two hours of school sports a week is unlikely to succeed. Rather, movement initiatives are needed that bring about a rethinking of parents and children and make them aware of the importance of physical activities for their health. This requires a quick response, because the healthcare system is already generating substantial additional costs due to the numerous overweight adolescents. Added to this are the individual health problems that arise for those affected. (Fp)

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Constant light creates overweight
Noise: Every eighth child has hearing loss
Eczema: Children should be self-sufficient

Picture: Berndt Fankhauser