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Smartphones increase the risk of diabetes in children
Most parents should know the problem. The most popular pastime for children is usually the television. Researchers have now found that excessive use of video display devices such as televisions, smartphones and laptops can lead to negative health effects. The brains and eyes of children are damaged by the constant exposure to such devices. In addition, children have an increased risk of developing diabetes when they spend more than three hours a day in front of a screen.
The researchers from the University of London and the University of Glasgow found in their study that spending too much time in front of the screen in children can lead to an increased risk of diabetes. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Archives of Disease in Childhood".
At the present time children spend a lot of time in front of the screen of smartphones and tablets. The hours of use of such devices seems to increase the risk of diabetes. (Image: Natallia Vintsik / fotolia.com) Diabetes is not an age-related disease
Often, diabetes is considered an age-related condition. But also young people and children can get diabetes. The reason for this is their daily lifestyle. The numbers of sufferers of diabetes are increasing these days, say the authors.
What effects does diabetes have??
In diabetes, the ability of the body to produce insulin is hindered. This effect causes an abnormal glucose content in the blood. So far, unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity and genetic disposition have been among the leading causes of type 2 diabetes in children, the researchers explain. However, the results of the current study show that another aspect of the sedentary lifestyle also contributes to the increased risk of diabetes in children.
Long time in front of the screen can increase body fat
If children stare for more than three hours daily on the screen of their smartphone, the television or their computer, increases thereby according to the statement of the scientists the probability for the emergence of type 2 diabetes. The longer time before the equipment can lead to increased body fat and insulin resistance in children, the doctors add.
Experts examine more than 4,500 subjects
The researchers from the United Kingdom examined the data of more than 4,500 children for their study. The physicians realized that more than two hours a day in front of the screens of technical devices led to biological markers, which increased the risk of type 2 diabetes.
How much time did participants spend in front of the screen??
When examining daily screen time, including televisions, computers, and game consoles, it became apparent that only 4 percent of subjects did not spend any time in front of these devices. 37 percent sat in front of the screens for an hour or less. 28 percent spent between one and two hours in front of the TV or smartphone, the researchers say. 13 percent said they stared at the devices for about 2 to 3 hours. Eighteen percent of the kids looked at screens every day for more than three hours, the scientists add.
Boys spend more time in front of the screen
Boys generally spent more time using television, smartphones and computers. About 22 percent of the respondents used such devices for more than 3 hours a day. In comparison, the value of girls was only 14 percent, say the experts.
Early onset of type 2 diabetes needs to be better understood
Although potentially influential factors such as family background, household income, physical activity, and puberty stage were considered, the link between diabetes risk factors and screen time remained, the researchers explain. In the case of increasing type 2 diabetes in recent years, it is particularly important that the early development is better understood. The findings show that the recent trend in screen-related childhood activity is increasing, say the experts. This could affect the behaviors later in life. There have been some studies that have found adults at an increased risk of weight gain and type 2 diabetes when spending a lot of time in front of the screen, the authors add. (As)