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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is on the rise among youth, affecting approximately 3% of children and 5% of adolescents in recent years. A recent study explored how sedentary lifestyles and increased screen time contribute to this concerning trend among young people in China.

Metabolic syndrome encompasses a cluster of metabolic abnormalities including abdominal obesity, hypertension, elevated triglyceride levels, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and insulin resistance. These factors collectively heighten the risk of cardiovascular disease, News Medical Life Sciences reported.

The prevalence of MetS among children and adolescents has sparked alarm in public health circles. Early intervention during childhood is crucial for long-term health, underscoring the importance of identifying and addressing modifiable risk factors like sedentary behavior and screen time.

A sedentary lifestyle, defined as expending 1.5 metabolic equivalent tasks or less, has become increasingly common among youth. Recent surveys indicate that a quarter of both boys and girls spend over three hours daily sitting, not including time spent sitting during schoolwork and homework. Globally, more than 80% of teenagers fail to meet recommended levels of physical activity, as reported by the World Health Organization.

Screen time correlates with higher rates of chronic diseases, insomnia, and mental health disorders. Nearly all American teenagers have access to smartphones, while television viewing rates among European children aged 11 to 15 range from 70%. Computer gaming is prevalent among up to 66% of young European boys, varying by country, and 11-47% of girls.

The study published in BMC Public Health examined data from the China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance of Children and Lactating Mothers conducted between 2016 and 2017, focusing on 58,712 young Chinese individuals aged seven to 17. Findings revealed a 5.5% prevalence of MetS, with varying rates of associated conditions such as abdominal obesity, high triglyceride levels, low HDL-C, hyperglycemia, and high blood pressure.

Urban residency, older age, prolonged sedentary time, and increased screen time were all linked to heightened risks of MetS. Boys with more sedentary time exhibited higher prevalence rates of abdominal obesity, high triglyceride levels, low HDL-C, and MetS. Similarly, increased screen time correlated with elevated risks of abdominal obesity, low HDL-C, and MetS in boys, with girls reporting three or more hours of screen time daily showing increased risks of abdominal obesity and MetS.

Adjusting for confounding factors, children with sedentary lifestyles faced a 40% higher risk of abdominal obesity, along with elevated risks of high triglyceride and low HDL-C levels. Three or more hours of daily screen time correlated with approximately 15% increased risks of abdominal obesity and MetS.

The study, a national-level investigation, shed light on the connections between sedentary behaviors, screen time, and MetS among students. Recommendations urge collaboration among students, parents, and schools to foster healthier lifestyles by reducing sedentary time and screen exposure.