Too Much Screen Time May Be Hurting Kids’ Hearts

Take A Beat: When it comes to screen time and kids, much of the focus has been on the potential impact on their brains — specifically, cognitive function and mental health. New research from Denmark suggests excessive screen time may affect kids’ hearts and metabolic health, as well. 

The Study: Researchers examined data from more than 1,000 Danish adolescents and teens: a group of 10-year-olds from 2010 and a group of 18-year-olds from 2000. The more time they spent on phones, gaming platforms, and other screens, the higher their cardiometabolic score. A higher score indicated an increased risk of high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and other conditions. Every extra hour kids spent on a screen for fun bumped up their score (and their risk) a little higher.

The Takeaway: The effect on sleep was a big driver here. More screen time often meant later bedtimes, not enough sleep, or disrupted sleep from screens’ blue light. Kids who slept less than their counterparts — even with an equal amount of screen time — had a much higher risk.

Keep In Mind: The study was observational, so it found only an association — not cause-and-effect. Still, powering down earlier in the evening and prioritizing sleep is a smart step to protect cardiometabolic health for kids and adults alike.