Too Much Screen Time for American Teenagers?

Source: 
Coverage Type: 

Teens aged 12-15 are recommended to limit the time they spend in front of computers or televisions to two hours or less per day. This time limit includes watching TV, using a computer, and playing video games. In excess, sedentary screen time has been linked to elevated blood pressure, elevated serum cholesterol, and obesity. Without intervention these behaviors and symptoms can escalate as youths become adults. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) recently released a data brief on the key findings from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey. Although most teenagers aged 12-15 meet the recommended 2 hour maximum screen time, the percentage of those who exceed it is too high. The symptoms linked to excessive screen time are serious, and the habits acquired at a young age could affect the health of US teenagers as they transition into adulthood.


Too Much Screen Time for American Teenagers?