A report from the American Heart Association indicates that prolonged screen time, whether on television, smartphones, or computers, increases risks to heart health and metabolism. This risk affects not only adults but also adolescents.
The combination of excessive screen time and insufficient sleep has been shown to be particularly dangerous. However, regular sleep patterns and adequate rest can help reduce these risks.
Studies have found that for every additional hour of screen time, the cardiovascular metabolic risk increases. For 10-year-old children, the risk increases by 0.08 standard deviations; for 18-year-olds, the risk increases by 0.13 standard deviations. This means that an extra three hours of screen time per day increases the risk of early heart problems. The impact is particularly pronounced in children who are sleep-deprived. Children with less sleep have a significantly higher risk.
It is estimated that approximately 12% of the association between screen time and metabolic disorders can be attributed to insufficient sleep. Blood tests also show that frequent electronic users have unique “metabolic profiles.” Experts recommend that improving sleep habits is the first step in naturally reducing screen time.
