MSU research finds TV raises blood pressure

Kids who watch more TV are more likely to have high blood pressure, according to findings published by MSU researchers.

MSU professor of kinesiology Joe Eisenmann co-authored the study — which was published in the August edition of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine — and said the most surprising result was a “null finding.”

“Total sedentary time was not related to blood pressure — it was specific,” Eisenmann said. “TV viewing was related to blood pressure. … It’s an important finding because it highlights specific sedentary behavior — it’s something we can target.”

The study was the idea of David Martinez-Gomez, a doctoral student from Spain.

Eisenmann said Martinez-Gomez will be spending six months at MSU in the fall.

The child’s body composition was independent of the findings, according to the study.

Eisenmann said it’s important to consider other factors related to TV watching, such as snack consumption and stress levels.

“There are things related to TV viewing like snacking on high-salt, high-fat foods that could be the reason for high blood pressure,” he said. “It could be a high stress response to something on TV or, (if it’s) later in the evening, that disrupts sleep. From other studies, sleep is related to obesity.”

The project is a longitudinal study and began about five years ago, when many of the children were about 4 years old. Eisenmann said they would like to continue the research until the children are 16 or 18.

Dele Davies, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development at MSU, said high blood pressure is a problem regardless of age.

“I think it’s a concern for both adults and kids,” he said. “If it’s left unmanaged it can lead to heart disease, strokes and kidney damage.”

According to previous studies, sedentary behaviors such as TV watching are related to obesity, which is related to high blood pressure.

Davies said people who are overweight or obese can have more problems with high blood pressure.

“The more weight you have, the more likely you are to have high blood pressure,” he said.

Molly Smith, health and wellness director at the Parkwood Branch of the YMCA, said getting children away from the TV can be beneficial.

“Kids just need to get out and play,” she said. “If parents force (kids) to go out 30 to 60 minutes a day, it makes a big difference.”

YMCA has tried to incorporate video games with physical activity, Smith said.

“The games are interactive and make you be active and still let you play video games.”