More evidence that excessive TV means children have poor diabetes control

A new study from Germany has supported the growing concern that children with type 1 diabetes who watch too much television or sit in front of a computer all day could have poorer blood sugar control. The research found that factors such as obesity, household income and amount of exercise did not properly explain why this connection exists.
The study, which involved 296 children, teenagers and young adults suffering from type 1 diabetes who spend at least four hours each day at a TV or computer, showed they higher haemoglobin A1C levels of blood sugar control during the previous few months. The haemoglobin A1C levels of the patients averaged at 9.3 per cent, as opposed to about 8.5 per cent for those who spent less time in front of a screen.
It is vital for type 1 diabetics to control their blood sugar to prevent long-term diabetes complications developing, such as heart and kidney disease and eye problems.
It is thought one reason behind the link could be that children who watch a lot of TV or are on the computer a lot tend to have more snacks, making it harder to manage blood sugar levels than children who eat at regular times of the day.