A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that limiting daily TV viewing to no more than one hour may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other blood vessel diseases, even among those with high genetic predisposition to Type 2 diabetes.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which encompasses conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease, is linked to plaque buildup in the arteries. This can lead to serious health consequences, including reduced quality of life, surgeries, amputations, and premature death.
This study is among the first to explore how genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes interacts with TV-watching habits in relation to ASCVD risk.
The Link Between TV Time and Heart Disease
Type 2 diabetes, along with a sedentary lifestyle, is a known risk factor for ASCVD. Prolonged sitting, particularly TV viewing, has been associated with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. The study’s lead author, Youngwon Kim, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Hong Kong’s School of Public Health, stated, “Our study provides new insights into the roles of limiting TV viewing time in the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases for everyone and especially in people with a high genetic predisposition for Type 2 diabetes.”
The study analyzed data from over 346,000 adults in the U.K., with an average age of 56. Researchers examined the relationship between genetic predisposition to Type 2 diabetes, TV viewing habits, and ASCVD risk over nearly 14 years. The findings show that reducing TV time can have significant cardiovascular health benefits, particularly for those at high genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes.
Study Details and Findings
The study used genetic information from participants to create a polygenic risk score, which predicts an individual’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes based on 138 genetic variants. Researchers then divided participants into three genetic risk groups: low, medium, and high. These were cross-referenced with participants’ TV viewing habits, categorized into those who watched TV for one hour or less a day, and those who watched for two or more hours daily.
Key findings include:
- Approximately 21% of participants reported watching TV for one hour or less daily, while more than 79% watched for two or more hours.
- People who watched TV for two hours or more per day had a 12% higher risk of developing ASCVD compared to those who watched one hour or less daily, regardless of their genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes.
- For those with medium or high genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes, limiting TV viewing to one hour or less a day was associated with a lower risk of developing ASCVD.
Impact on High Genetic Risk Groups
The study revealed that people with a high genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes could lower their chances of developing ASCVD by restricting TV time to one hour or less daily. The 10-year risk of developing ASCVD for high genetic risk participants who watched less TV was lower (2.13%) compared to those with low genetic risk who watched more TV (2.46%).
Mengyao Wang, Ph.D., the study’s first author, emphasized the importance of behavioral modifications, such as reducing TV time, to mitigate cardiovascular disease risks linked to Type 2 diabetes genetics. “Future health strategies should focus on reducing TV time and promoting healthy lifestyle changes, especially for high-risk populations,” Wang said.
Expert Insights and Recommendations
Dr. Damon L. Swift, chair of the American Heart Association’s Physical Activity Committee, noted that reducing TV time could benefit people both at high and low genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes. He added, “These findings highlight the importance of lifestyle choices, particularly reducing sedentary behavior, in improving overall health.”
However, Swift also pointed out that the study’s participants were predominantly of white British descent, so the results may not be fully applicable to other populations. He stressed that tailored interventions could be beneficial for individuals who spend prolonged periods sitting at home or work.
In conclusion, the study suggests that limiting TV viewing to no more than one hour daily may be an effective strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, particularly for those genetically predisposed to Type 2 diabetes.
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