High blood pressure, cholesterol... Children exposed to too much screen time risk developing health problems, according to a study

Researchers are sounding the alarm. A Danish study published this week links children's high exposure to screens to health problems.

This research shows, for example, that children who are frequently exposed to screens are more likely to have cardiovascular problems.

"Children and young adults who spend excessive hours glued to screens and electronic devices may be at increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance," according to the study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

To reduce this exposure, many parents try to increase outdoor activities. This is the case for Victor, whose daughter spends at least two hours a day in front of her tablet.

"She sits and doesn't move. Sometimes we call her, but she doesn't listen. It's when we call her a lot that she comes. But she stays too focused on the tablet," the father, who decided to take his children to play in the park, told BFMTV. "I love watching the videos and the rings," Victor's daughter explains, a bit mischievously.

For other children, the rules regarding screens are much stricter. This is the case for Léopold and Raphaël. For them, screens are practically forbidden in the home. "At home, there are very clear rules, so they know it's Wednesdays and the weekend," their father tells BFMTV. "We know it's not good for their personal development and their brains," he adds.

While the effects of screens on children's brain development are well known, the Danish study highlights the risks of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

"This study demonstrates two main things: the more a child looks at tablets, the less sleep they get, and the greater the cardiovascular risk they will have when they reach adulthood," cardiologist Philippe Abastado told BFMTV.

"This risk increases as the number of hours spent on tablets increases," he adds. To limit the risks, professionals recommend not exposing children under 3 years old to them. Screen use is still not recommended until the age of 6.