Limiting TV Time Could Reduce Heart Disease Risk for Those with Diabetes Genetic Predisposition

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that minimizing daily television viewing to one hour or less may help reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases, particularly for individuals with a high genetic predisposition to Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers analyzed health records from 346,916 U.K. adults, tracking their cardiovascular health over nearly 14 years. The study found that participants who watched two or more hours of television daily faced a 12% higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, regardless of their genetic risk profile.

Notably, individuals with medium to high genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes showed no increased cardiovascular disease risk when they limited their daily TV viewing to one hour or less. The 10-year absolute risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was lower (2.13%) for high-risk participants with minimal TV time compared to low-risk individuals who watched television for two or more hours daily (2.46%).

The findings underscore the potential impact of lifestyle modifications on cardiovascular health. By reducing sedentary behavior, individuals may mitigate their risk of developing serious health complications, even when they have a genetic predisposition to certain conditions.

Lead researcher Youngwon Kim emphasized that Type 2 diabetes and sedentary lifestyles are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The study provides new insights into how limiting television viewing could serve as a preventive strategy, particularly for those with higher genetic risks.

While the research was conducted on a predominantly white British population and may not be generalizable to all demographics, it offers valuable guidance on the potential health benefits of reducing screen time and increasing physical activity.