CHOP Study Links 5-Plus Hours of Teen Smartphone Use to 3 Times Higher Obesity Risk
Updated
Updated · FemaleFirst · Jun 9
CHOP Study Links 5-Plus Hours of Teen Smartphone Use to 3 Times Higher Obesity Risk
3 articles · Updated · FemaleFirst · Jun 9
Summary
More than 100 adolescents who used smartphones over five hours a day were more than twice as likely to have depression and nearly three times as likely to be obese.
Data from 1,959 teenagers also showed those who got their first smartphone at ages 13 to 14—1,230 participants—were about 4% more likely to experience depression and obesity.
About 95% of participants reported roughly 17 hours of weekly phone use, and researchers said screen time plus overnight bedroom access were key modifiable habits tied to poorer health.
CHOP researchers pointed to sleep disruption as a likely driver, saying limits on screen time and keeping phones out of bedrooms at night could reduce risks.