TV Linked With Poor Diabetes Control

LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer, "TV Linked With Poor Diabetes
Control", San Francisco Chronicle, May 25, 2007,
Link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...TL&type=health

Diabetic children who spent the most time glued to the TV had a
tougher time controlling their blood sugar, according to a Norwegian
study that illustrates yet another downside of too much television.

The findings, based on a study of children with Type 1 diabetes, lend
support to the American Academy of Pediatrics' advice that children
watch no more than two hours of TV daily, said lead author Dr. Hanna
Margeirsdottir of the University of Oslo.

Type 1 diabetes is the less common form of the disease and used to be
called juvenile diabetes. It is not related to obesity and is caused
when the body cannot make insulin, which converts sugar from food into
energy. People with Type 1 must take insulin daily and regulate their
blood-sugar levels.

Snacking and overeating can increase blood-sugar levels; physical
activity can lower them. While TV-viewing is often accompanied by
snacking, the researchers didn't examine diet or physical activity.

The study results "suggest that encouraging children with Type 1
diabetes to watch less television may be important for improved blood
glucose control and better health outcomes," the study authors wrote.

Other experts said the study also might suggest something else.
Diabetic children who already have consistently high blood-sugar
levels could feel too sick to do much besides watch TV, said Jill
Weissburg-Benchell, a psychologist and diabetes educator at Children's
Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

"It's very clear that there is a relationship. Now the question is
what underlies that relationship," she said.

Results of the Oslo research will appear in the June edition of the
journal Diabetes Care.

The study involved 538 children with an average age of 13. In Norway,
about 25,000 people have Type 1 diabetes. In the United States, there
are 3 million with the condition and about 30 million worldwide.

The study evaluated results of a routine test that measured average
blood-sugar control over three months. There was a continuous increase
in the level of blood sugar with every hour of TV watched, rising to
the highest level for those who watched at least four hours daily.

The results didn't surprise Chicago diabetes educator Monica Joyce,
who founded a basketball camp for diabetic children.

Campers typically are asked how much TV they watch and are taught
"they can get much better blood sugars if they're active," Joyce said.

If the researchers' theory is right, then turning off the TV could be
added to a list of remedies "that are very low-cost to the health care
system," said Dr. Francine Kaufman, head of a diabetes program at
Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.

"This has got to be the social norm that it's just not acceptable for
kids to be baby-sat by TV," she said.

In misc.health.diabetes Roman Bystrianyk wrote:
: LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer, "TV Linked With Poor Diabetes
: Control", San Francisco Chronicle, May 25, 2007,
: Link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...TL&type=health

: Diabetic children who spent the most time glued to the TV had a
: tougher time controlling their blood sugar, according to a Norwegian
: study that illustrates yet another downside of too much television.

This ssedentary life for kids is a general problem and also leads to type
2 diabetes in youngsters. Kids don't run around outside and play much
anymore, here in the US. Often because there is no one home with them
after school, they are told to stay in and not let anyone into the house.
Iff you stay in, what are you going to do Homework and TV are the main
activities aside form sitting at the computer or text messaging. No one
plays tag or hide and seek anymo-(

Wendy

"W. Baker" wrote in message
...
In misc.health.diabetes Roman Bystrianyk wrote:
: LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer, "TV Linked With Poor Diabetes
: Control", San Francisco Chronicle, May 25, 2007,
: Link:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...TL&type=health

: Diabetic children who spent the most time glued to the TV had a
: tougher time controlling their blood sugar, according to a Norwegian
: study that illustrates yet another downside of too much television.

This ssedentary life for kids is a general problem and also leads to type
2 diabetes in youngsters. Kids don't run around outside and play much
anymore, here in the US. Often because there is no one home with them
after school, they are told to stay in and not let anyone into the house.
Iff you stay in, what are you going to do Homework and TV are the main
activities aside form sitting at the computer or text messaging. No one
plays tag or hide and seek anymo-(

Wendy

This is exactly what I've been saying for several years that I've been here
on MHD/ASD... but I guess seeing how a T2 just repeated the same thing,
thats okay.. but when I say it, because I'm a T1.. I'm just attacking T2's
by calling them fat and lazy. *rolls eyes .. sigh*

Oh well, at least it's good to see it's a recognized problem... fat, lazy,
whatever!
the problem CAN be fixed! that's what needs to be worked on.

RK, t1