Low Levels of Physical Activity Combined with Heavy Use of TV Damaging to Health in Children

Children with low levels of physical activity and dependent on TV and electronic media for entertainment,  suffer an increased risk of certain health disorders.

Researchers at the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Eastern Finland claim that, the risk of type 2 diabetes and vascular disease, affecting the circulating system in children of ages 6-8 is high when they are involved in very little physical exercise with more TV viewing and an overall sedentary behavior.

The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study, PANIC, links low levels of physical activity to type 2 diabetes and vascular disease. The study also claims that the risk is high when exposure to electronic media (TV and video) soars.

The PANIC study consisted of 512 children of ages 6-8 who participated in the research from 2007-2009.  Scientifically sound methods were used to analyze the lifestyle, health and well-being of children

Heavy use of electronic media did not elevate the risk in just sedentary children but also those who were physically active.  Apart from that, the risk of type 2 diabetes and vascular disease is high when children are on an unhealthy diet and have irregular eating habits.

Prior to this PANIC study,  there have been other researches, which claim that the risk for type 2 diabetes and other vascular disease in obese or overweight people sets during childhood.  This is one of the biggest concerns as the accumulation of risk factors in childhood elevates the risk of type 2 diabetes, vascular disease and even premature death of an individual.

People can prevent diabetes and vascular disease by engaging in vigorous physical activity and eliminating heavy use of electronic media.

 The finding was documented in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.