Watching TV while snacking ups heart disease, diabetes risk in teens: Study

Teenagers who sit for hours watching TV, using the computer or playing video games while eating unhealthy snacks are at increased risk heart diseases and diabetes, scientists say.

The study found these teens are at risk of developing metabolic syndrome- a cluster of risk factors including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels- that elevate the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

"The take home message is limiting your screen time is important, but when it is not possible, avoiding snack consumption may help you to reduce your risk of metabolic syndrome," said Beatriz Schaan, of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.

-PTI