Longer TV viewing times in childhood linked to higher risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood

A University of Otago study has added weight to the evidence that too much television watching in childhood can lead to poor health in adulthood.

The research, led by Professor Bob Hancox, from the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, and published this week in the journal Pediatricsfound that children who watched more television were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome as adults.

Metabolic syndrome is a group 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 study, the researchers found that those who watched more TV between the ages of 5 and 15 were more likely to have these conditions at age 45.

Hours of television viewing were set at ages 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15. On average, they watched just over two hours per weekday.

Those who watched the most had a higher risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood.

More television viewing time during childhood was also associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity and lower physical fitness.

Professor Bob Hancox, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago

Boys watched slightly more television than girls and metabolic syndrome was more common in men than in women (34% and 20% respectively). The link between childhood television viewing time and adult metabolic syndrome has, however, been observed in both sexes, and may even be stronger in women.

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

“While like any observational study, researchers cannot prove that the association between television viewing at a young age directly causes adult metabolic syndrome, there are several plausible mechanisms by which longer television viewing times could lead to poorer long-term health.

“TV has low energy expenditure and could displace physical activity and reduce sleep quality,” he says.

“Screen time may also promote higher energy intake, with children consuming more sugary drinks and high-fat diet foods with fewer fruits and vegetables. These habits may persist into adulthood.”

The results are important because screen times have increased in recent years with new technologies.

“Children today have much more access to screen entertainment and spend much more time being sedentary. This is likely to have even more adverse health effects for adults.

54vb “These findings support the World Health Organization’s recommendation that children and young adolescents should limit their recreational screen time.”