Computer Use may Lower Bone Mineral Density in Boys

With continuing technological advances, Norwegian researchers discovered that too much time spent staring at the computer could be detrimental to the bone density of adolescents.

For the study, researchers analyzed data on 463 girls and 484 boys from the Tromso region of Norway. All of the children involved were between the ages of 15 and 18 and had taken part in the Fit Futures study from 2010 to 2011. The study looked at 90 percent of all high school freshmen within the area while also examining bone mineral density measurements at total hip, femoral neck and total body sites. The team used a multiple regression model that included [adjustments] for age, sexual maturation, BMI, leisure time physical activity, smoking, alcohol, cod liver oil and carbonated drink consumption" to find the link between computer time and BMD.

Findings showed that boys typically spent more time in front of a screen than girls, with this gender having the highest screen times and consequently, the poorer body mineral density readings at all body sites. These boys also had higher body mass indexes (BMI), according to the results.

"Bone mineral density is a strong predictor of future fracture risk. The findings for boys on the other hand clearly show that sedentary lifestyle during adolescence can impact on BMD and thus compromise the acquisition of peak bone mass. This can have a negative impact in terms of osteoporosis and fracture risk later in life," said lead author of the study Dr. Anne Winther, Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, via Medical Xpress.

Researchers also discovered that girls who spent four to six hours in front of a screen had higher body mineral densities than girls who spent less than 1.5 hours in front of a screen per day.

"Our findings for girls are intriguing and definitely merit further exploration in other studies and population groups," Dr. Winther concluded. 

More information regarding the findings were presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases.