Time Spent on the Internet and Adolescent Blood Pressure

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2015

Publication Title

The Journal of school nursing

Abstract

Internet use is nearly ubiquitous among adolescents. Growing evidence suggests heavy Internet use negatively impacts health, yet the relationship between time spent on the Internet and adolescent blood pressure (BP) is unknown. We examined the association between Internet use and elevated BP in a racially diverse cross-sectional sample of 331 healthy adolescents (ages 14-17 years). Heavy Internet use was defined as ≥ 2 hr/day, moderate use as/day and ≥ 5 days/week, and light use as < 2 hr/day and ≤ 4 days/week. Elevated BP was defined as systolic or diastolic BP ≥ 90 th percentile. Heavy Internet users had statistically significantly higher odds of elevated BP compared to light Internet users. School nurses can play an important role in preventing high BP through assessment of BP and other health behaviors including Internet use, and health teaching to individuals, student groups, faculty, and parents to increase awareness of the relationship between Internet use and health.

Medical Subject Headings

Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Attitude to Health; Blood Pressure; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Internet; Male; Motor Activity; Obesity; Video Games

PubMed ID

25377931

Volume

31

Issue

5

First Page

374

Last Page

384

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