Sedentary Teens at Higher Risk of Heart Damage and Stroke, Study Warns
A recent study has revealed that sedentary teenagers face an increased risk of heart damage and stroke later in life. According to researchers, the more inactive a teen is, the more likely they are to accumulate damage in their heart that can lead to cardiovascular problems down the line.
The study emphasizes the importance of parents limiting the amount of time their children spend on social media and video games. Even teenagers who have a normal weight are at risk of developing heart damage if they lead a sedentary lifestyle.
To conduct the study, 766 British youngsters were tracked over a period of 13 years. Smartwatches with activity trackers were used to assess the amount of time the children spent sitting over a week. Assessments were made at the ages of 11, 15, and 24 to measure inactivity levels. In addition, ultrasound scans were conducted on the participants’ hearts at ages 17 and 24 to assess the weight of the left ventricle.
The findings indicated that an increased left ventricle is a strong predictor for adverse heart events in adulthood and can be used to assess premature cardiac damage in children and young adults. The researchers discovered that as the participants’ sedentary time increased from ages 11 to 24, their left ventricular mass also increased. Each additional minute of sedentary time resulted in a 0.004g/m increase in left ventricular mass between ages 17 and 24.
Dr. Andrew Agbaje from the University of Eastern Finland, the study’s lead author, explained, All those hours of screen time in young people add up to a heavier heart, which we know from studies in adults raises the likelihood of heart attack and stroke. He emphasized the need for children and teenagers to engage in more physical activity to protect their long-term health.
According to the study, children were sedentary for more than six hours a day on average, and this increased to nearly nine hours a day by the time they reached young adulthood. The accumulated inactive time was found to be associated with heart damage, regardless of body weight and blood pressure.
Dr. Sonya Babu Narayan, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, expressed concern over the study’s findings. She highlighted that inactivity may lead to silent changes accumulating in the heart, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. Dr. Narayan stressed the significance of regular physical activity throughout life, starting from an early age.
The study also revealed that increased sedentary time had a greater impact on young women’s hearts over time compared to young men, although further research is needed to understand this difference.
In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of limiting sedentary behavior among teenagers to prevent heart damage and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes later in life. Parents are encouraged to encourage their children to engage in physical activity, such as going for walks, and to set limits on social media and video game usage. By promoting an active lifestyle from an early age, the long-term health of children can be safeguarded.
