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Watching TV poses a greater risk of heart disease than using a computer
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Physical activity in children certainly reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the future, however, its absence does not necessarily increase it. The results of the study showed that a sedentary lifestyle can have different consequences for children's health.
Previous studies have shown that a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adults. But Ms. Carson, the author of the study, did not find a link between sedentary lifestyles and the risk of developing diabetes or coronary heart disease among children who were examined.
Instead, she noted, some types of sedentary activities have a greater impact on the health of children than others. In particular, frequent watching TV had a high risk of developing cardio-metabolic disorders, while working at the computer did not cause such a level of risk.
One possible explanation is that according to some studies, watching TV is accompanied by lower energy consumption. Another is that frequent snacks between meals that usually go hand in hand with watching TV or movies can cause corresponding health risks.
"The main conclusion of this study is that children should be more physically active, but we must not forget to monitor other activities of children throughout the day," explains Ms. Carson. "Our research suggests that parents should also limit the time for watching television programs by children."