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Excessive Internet use linked to elevated BP in teens

Teenagers who spent more than 2 hours on the Internet each day were more likely to have elevated BP, according to recently published data.

“Using the Internet is part of our daily life but it shouldn’t consume us. In our study, teens considered heavy Internet users were on the Internet an average of 25 hours a week,” Andrea E. Cassidy-Bushrow, PhD, MPH, department of public health sciences, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, said in a press release. “It’s important that young people take regular breaks from their computer or smartphone, and engage in some form of physical activity. I recommend to parents they limit their children’s time at home on the Internet. I think 2 hours a day, 5 days a week is a good rule of thumb.”

Andrea Cassidy-Bushrow

Cassidy-Bushrow and colleagues analyzed 331 adolescents, aged 14 to 17 years to assess the correlation between elevated BP and Internet use among adolescents.

The researchers defined light Internet use at less than 2 hours a day, on 4 or more days per week, moderate use as less than 2 hours a day on 5 or more days per week, and heavy use as 2 or more hours per day, every day.  

Overall, participants spent an average of 15.1 hours per week on the Internet. Forty percent of participants reported being heavy Internet users and 42% reported being moderate users.  

Results demonstrated that 42 participants had elevated BP. Of these, 26 participants were in prehypertensive range and 21 were in the hypertensive range.

Compared with light Internet users, teenagers who were heavy Internet users had significantly higher odds of elevated BP, according to the researchers.

An association between weight and Internet use was seen, with increased Internet use being linked to increasing prevalence of being overweight, according to the researchers.

Cassidy-Bushrow and colleagues noted that school nurses may be able to help combat heavy Internet use and the adverse events associated with it. 

“School nurses could conduct annual health screenings where blood pressure and Internet use behaviors could be assessed. Students with an elevated blood pressure would then have a follow-up visit to determine next steps,” Cassidy-Bushrow said in the release. – by Casey Hower

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.