"Screen Time and Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents: The Role of Obesity"

Objective:The increased incidence of hypertension and obesity in children raises concerns about future cardiovascular disease.In this study, the effect of leisure screen time on office blood pressure (BP) was examined in hospitalized children and adolescents, as well as obesity's influence on this association.Design: Hospitalized children were prospectively included in the study.Detailed personal history, screen time as well as cardiovascular family history were assessed using a standard questionnaire.Office BP was measured three times in participants ≥3years old using a validated oscillometric device at the second day of hospitalization.Results: Hypertensive children report higher daily and weekly screen time compared to normotensive children (age, sex and BMI z-score adjusted, P<0.005).Obese children with hypertension presented the highest mean weekly screen time levels (age, sex adjusted, P<0.005).In adolescents SBP and DBP z-scores inversely correlated with birth weight (r=-0.411,r=-0.460,respectively, P<0.05), positively with BMI z-score (r=0.368,r=0.433,P<0.05), daily screen time (r=0.391,r=0.361,P<0.05), and weekly screen time (r=0.423,r=0.413,P<0.05).Adolescents had a 1.18 times increased likelihood to have hypertension per each hour increase in weekly screen time, after adjustment for multiple risk factors.Conclusion: Normal weight and active lifestyle in childhood could be crucial for preventing future hypertension.