Excessive screen use combined with too little sleep may quietly raise the risk of heart and metabolic problems in children and teens, a new study suggests. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC) analysed data from over 1,000 participants, including 10 year olds and 18 year olds.
They found that each extra hour spent on TVs, phones, tablets, or games increased cardiometabolic risk. For 10 year olds, the increase was 0.08 standard deviations, and for 18 year olds, 0.13. The authors noted that three extra hours of screen use per day could raise a child’s risk by nearly half a standard deviation.
The team created a combined risk score using waist size, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar. Machine learning also revealed a metabolic fingerprint in blood samples associated with screen exposure.
Shorter sleep intensified the risk. Children and teens who slept less while spending more time on screens had higher metabolic scores. Sleep explained about 12 percent of the link between screen time and health risk.
Lead researcher David Horner emphasised the importance of balanced routines. Experts advise families to set limits on screens and ensure children get adequate sleep to protect long term health.
While the study shows strong associations, it does not prove that screen time directly causes heart disease. Researchers recommend further studies to determine whether reducing screen exposure can lower future risks.
