NEW research suggests that excessive television viewing is linked to a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), particularly in individuals with a genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes (T2D).
The study, which analysed data from over 346,000 individuals in the UK Biobank, investigated how genetic susceptibility to T2D interacts with television viewing habits to influence heart disease risk. Over a median follow-up of 13.8 years, more than 21,000 ASCVD cases were recorded.
Findings showed that individuals who watched two or more hours of TV daily had a 12% higher risk of ASCVD, regardless of their genetic risk for T2D. Interestingly, those with high genetic risk for diabetes who limited TV time to one hour or less had a lower 10-year risk of heart disease (2.13%) than those with low genetic risk who watched TV for more than two hours daily (2.46%).
These results suggest that lifestyle choices, such as reducing sedentary screen time, may be a powerful way to counteract genetic risks for both diabetes and heart disease. Researchers emphasize the importance of limiting screen-based sedentary activities to prevent cardiovascular complications, particularly in those at risk for T2D. Future studies could explore lifestyle interventions that target excessive sitting and inactivity for improved health outcomes.
Reference
Wang M et al. Genetic Susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes, Television Viewing, and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk. JAHA. 2025;DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.124.03681.
