Reducing TV time to one hour daily may lower heart disease risk, even for those genetically predisposed to Type 2 diabetes, according to new research.
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| Limiting daily TV time can reduce the risk of heart disease, even in those with a genetic predisposition to Type 2 diabetes, new research highlights. Symbolic Image |
Hong Kong — March 15, 2025:
Limiting television viewing to one hour a day could significantly lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions, even in individuals genetically predisposed to Type 2 diabetes, new research suggests.
The study, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, is among the first to investigate how genetic factors for Type 2 diabetes interact with TV-watching habits to influence the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). ASCVD, a condition caused by plaque buildup in the arteries, includes heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
"Type 2 diabetes and sedentary behaviors, such as prolonged sitting, are major risk factors for ASCVD," said Dr. Youngwon Kim, lead author and professor at The University of Hong Kong’s School of Public Health. "TV viewing contributes significantly to daily inactivity, which is consistently linked to higher risks of Type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. Our study underscores the potential of reducing TV time as a preventive measure against ASCVD, particularly for those with a strong genetic predisposition to diabetes."
ASCVD is associated with a variety of serious complications, including reduced quality of life, the need for arterial procedures, amputations, and even premature death. To explore the link between TV-watching habits and genetic risk for diabetes, the researchers analyzed data from 346,916 adults, aged 56 on average, in a large UK-based biomedical database. Over the course of nearly 14 years, 21,265 participants developed ASCVD.
The researchers assessed genetic risk by calculating polygenic risk scores, which combine 138 genetic variants linked to Type 2 diabetes. Participants were categorized as having low, medium, or high genetic risk for the condition. The participants also self-reported their TV habits, with those watching one hour or less per day grouped separately from those watching two or more hours daily.
Results showed that only 21% of participants limited their TV time to one hour or less. Those who watched two or more hours of TV daily had a 12% higher risk of developing ASCVD, regardless of their genetic predisposition. However, individuals with medium or high genetic risk who restricted their TV time to one hour or less did not show an increased likelihood of developing ASCVD.
Interestingly, participants with low genetic risk who watched more than two hours of TV daily had a slightly higher 10-year ASCVD risk (2.46%) than those with a high genetic risk who kept their TV time under one hour (2.13%).
"Reducing TV time could be a key behavioral strategy to prevent ASCVD, especially in those genetically predisposed to Type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Mengyao Wang, co-author of the study. "Encouraging people—particularly those at high genetic risk—to cut back on TV time and adopt healthier habits could lead to substantial improvements in heart health."
Dr. Damon L. Swift, an associate professor at the University of Virginia’s Department of Kinesiology, who was not involved in the study, echoed these findings. "This research highlights the significant impact of lifestyle choices on health and adds to the growing body of evidence that reducing sedentary behavior, like excessive TV viewing, can be an effective intervention for improving cardiovascular health, particularly for those at increased risk of Type 2 diabetes."