Diabetic children who spent the most time glued to the TV had a tougher time controlling their blood sugar, according to a Norwegian study that illustrates yet another downside of too much television.

Turn off TV to control diabetes

Comments: This may not only be important to Type 1 diabetics, but the general population. If the television is affecting blood sugar levels, then it stands to reason that it may be related to the rise of Type 2 diabetes and the obesity epidemic.

The study admits that it needs more research to determine the exact cause of the relationship between blood sugar control and television. TV watchers tend to be less active, to eat more junk food in general, and to snack more while watching a show. Any or all of these factors could be at play in this study, or they may be another yet unknown factor.

Until further research teases out the relationship between TV and blood sugar, it is safest to conclude that children with Type 1 diabetes should control their intake of TV, as well as their diets.

While Type 1 diabetes may not be linked with childhood obesity, TV is certainly linked with obesity. It seems that the TV is also linked with blood sugar control in Type 1 diabetes.