Study has shown that children who spend three hours or more a day watching television and staring at their phones or iPad could be at a greater risks of developing diabetes, new research suggests.
British researchers found a link between increased screen time and several risks factors associated with diabetes, including higher body fat level and insulin resistance in adult. These are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
However, new research suggest that children who spent too much time in screen could be at risk .
The research published in the Archives of disease in childhood, carried out on 4,495 children between the age of 9 and 10 years old. The children were assessed for factors that influence their risks of developing diabetes. The researchers looked for a series of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors (i. e blood fats, insulin resistance, blood glucose level, blood pressure, bodyake fat). The children were asked about the amount of time they spend in front of a screen either watching TV or using a computer or game consoles, each day was recorded.
The results review that children who spend more than three hours a day in a front of a screen are heavier and greater insulin resistance, putting them at risk of diabetes. The research found a strong link between a daily quota of 3 or more hours of screen time and level of leptin hormone that is primarily responsible for controlling appetite, fasting glucose and insulin resistance.
Dr Nightingale, the study author said, our finding suggest that reducing screen time maybe beneficial in reducing type 2 diabetes risk factors in both boys and girls from early age.
This is particularly relevant, given rising level of type 2 diabetes risk, and the recent trend suggesting that screen time related activities are increasing in childhood and may pattern screen-related behavior later in life.
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