Smartphone, tablet use linked with obesity in teens

Teens who spend many hours a day on smartphones, tablets or computers may be more likely to become obese than those who don’t spend as much time on these electronic devices, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Out of nearly 25,000 U.S. teens followed during 2013-2015, 20% spent more than five hours a day in front of screens. These teens were twice as likely to drink a sugary drink each day and to not get enough sleep or exercise—and were 43% more likely to be obese—compared with teens who spent less time using their screened devices.

“This study would suggest that limiting children’s and adolescents’ engagement with other screen devices may be just as important for health as limiting television time,” said co-lead author Erica Kenney, research fellow at Harvard Chan School, in a December 14, 2016 article in the Daily Mail.

Read the Daily Mail article: Children who spend hours glued to their smartphones are more likely to be sleep-deprived and obese

Read The Journal of Pediatrics release: Smartphones and Tablets and Adolescents: Small Size, Big Problems?

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More screen time, more obesity (Harvard Chan School news)