WEDNESDAY, Aug. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Time spent in front of the television may be associated with higher blood pressure in young children, according to research published in the August issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

David Martinez-Gomez, of Iowa State University in Ames, and colleagues analyzed data from 111 children ages 3 through 8 years. Researchers assessed subjects' body composition with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and measured their physical activity over seven days with accelerometers. Parents reported on children's time spent watching television (including videos) or using the computer, with the combination of television and computer designated as "screen time."

The researchers found that, sedentary activity, based on accelerometry, wasn't significantly associated with blood pressure after controlling for age, percentage of body fat, and other factors. However, television viewing and screen time -- but not time using the computer -- were associated with higher blood pressure after controlling for these factors.

"There are several possible explanations for the association between TV viewing and blood pressure. First, isolated physical inactivity watching TV may have direct effects on blood pressure. Second, isolated unhealthy behaviors that children may participate in during TV viewing (e.g., eating) may indirectly produce the effects on blood pressure. Time spent watching TV has been associated with behaviors such as increased consumption of high-fat, high-sugar, and salty foods and decreased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Third, both inactivity and related unhealthy behaviors during TV time may produce synergistic effects on blood pressure," the authors conclude.

Abstract
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