Researchers found those who spent the most time in front of a screen, an average of two and a half hours a day, had "significantly" higher blood pressure levels than those who spent hardly any.

Researchers believe that one of the reasons could be that too much "screen time" diverts children away from more active hobbies, such as sports, although they think there are also other factors involved.

High blood pressure is one of several risk factors that can increase the risk of developing potentially deadly heart conditions.

The study looked at 111 children aged between three and eight.

On average the children spent 1.5 hours a day in front of the computer, although some spent considerably more.

The findings, published in the Archives of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine journal, show that those children who spent the least amount of time in front of a screen had significantly lower blood pressure levels than those who spent the most.

David Martinez-Gomez, from Iowa State University, said: "The results of this study showed that TV viewing and screen time were associated with elevated blood pressure independent of body composition in children.

"Given that total objective sedentary time was not associated with elevated blood pressure, it appears that other factors, which occur during excessive screen time, should also be considered in the context of sedentary behaviour and elevated blood pressure development in children."

警惕：导致孩子血压升高的杀手！

研究发现，看电视或电脑时间长了容易导致高血压。一天平均看电视或电脑两个半小时的人比几乎不看电视电脑的人血药明显要高。

虽然研究人员还有其他原因，但是他们认为，原因之一是过长时间地看电视或电脑会使孩子们远离一些积极的兴趣，比如运动。

高血压是导致致命的非正常心跳的危险因素之一。

此研究调查了年龄在3到8岁之间的111个孩子。

平均来讲，一个孩子大约每天用电脑的时间是1.5个小时，然而也有更多者。

刊登在美国医学协会杂志的新一项研究报告表明看电视或电脑时间最少的孩子比看电视或电脑时间最多的孩子的血压明显要低。

爱荷华州立大学的David Marti6nez-Gomez说："此项研究结果表明，看电视或电脑的时间长短与孩子们的高血压有关系。"

既然客观的久坐与高血压并无关系，那么在过久看电视或电脑的时间里，其他因素应该与孩子们的高血压有关系。