Childhood TV Time Linked to Adult Metabolic Syndrome

Author: University of Otago
Published: 24 Jul 2023 - Updated: 29 Jun 2026
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed | Meta-analysis

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates - Related Publications

Synopsis: This research, a peer-reviewed analysis led by Professor Bob Hancox of the University of Otago's Department of Preventive and Social Medicine and published in the journal Pediatrics, draws on data from 879 participants in the long-running Dunedin study to track television viewing between the ages of 5 and 15 against health outcomes at age 45. The findings show that children who watched the most television were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome - a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat, and abnormal cholesterol that raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke - along with a higher likelihood of overweight, obesity, and lower physical fitness. Because the work follows the same individuals across four decades rather than relying on a single snapshot, it carries unusual weight as a long-term reference for parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in how early sedentary habits may shape adult health.*

At a Glance

• 1 - Participants watched just over two hours of television per weekday on average during childhood.
• 2 - The link held in both sexes and may even be stronger in women, though metabolic syndrome was more common in men at 34 percent versus 20 percent.
• 3 - There was little evidence that watching less television as an adult reduced the association between childhood viewing and later metabolic syndrome.

Topic Definition: Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of related health conditions that occur together and raise a person's risk of serious illness. It is characterized by a combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat - particularly around the waist - and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. When these factors appear together, they significantly increase the likelihood of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Often associated with sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and obesity, metabolic syndrome can begin developing from habits established early in life and is widely regarded as a major preventable contributor to chronic disease in adulthood.

Introduction

"Childhood and Adolescent Television Viewing and Metabolic Syndrome in Mid-Adulthood" - Pediatrics.

A University of Otago study has added weight to the evidence that watching too much television as a child can lead to poor health in adulthood. The research, led by Professor Bob Hancox, of the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, and published this week in the journal Pediatrics, found that children who watched more television were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome as an adult.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels that lead to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Main Content

Using data from 879 participants of the Dunedin study, researchers found those who watched more television between the ages of 5 and 15 were more likely to have these conditions at age 45.

Television viewing times were asked at ages 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15. On average, they watched just over two hours per weekday.

"Those who watched the most had a higher risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood," Professor Hancox says.

"More childhood television viewing time was also associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity and lower physical fitness."

Boys watched slightly more television than girls and metabolic syndrome was more common in men, than women (34 percent and 20 per cent respectively). The link between childhood television viewing time and adult metabolic syndrome was seen in both sexes however, and may even be stronger in women.

There was little evidence that watching less television as an adult reduced the association between childhood television viewing and adult health.

"While, like any observational study, researchers cannot prove that the association between television viewing at a young age directly causes adult metabolic syndrome, there are several plausible mechanisms by which longer television viewing times could lead to poorer long-term health."

"Television viewing has low energy expenditure and could displace physical activity and reduce sleep quality," he says. "Screentime may also promote higher energy intake, with children consuming more sugar-sweetened beverages and high-fat dietary products with fewer fruit and vegetables. These habits may persist into adulthood."

The results are important because screen times have increased in recent years with new technologies.

"Children today have far more access to screen-based entertainment and spend much more time being sedentary. It is likely that this will have even more detrimental effects for adult health. These findings lend support to the World Health Organization recommendation that children and young teenagers should limit their recreational screen time."

Related Information

• Screen Time Linked to Child Psychological Problems
• Why Babies Under Two Should Have No Screen Time at All: UK researchers warn that screen time for children under two carries long-term health risks and offers few real benefits during early development.
• Too Much TV, Video and Computer Making Teens Fatter
• When Children Are Allowed TV and Games in Bedroom
• Link Between Excessive Screen Time and Teen Suicide Risk
• Use of Electronic Devices to Calm Kids

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of Otago and published on 24 Jul 2023, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.