London, May 21 (IANS) Is your kid spending too much time in front of the television or playing video games?

Researchers have found that heavy use of electronic media and little exercise adversely affect the health of kids, increasing risks for type 2 diabetes and vascular diseases.

The highest levels of risk factors were found in children with lowest levels of physical activity and highest levels of electronic media time, the study noted.

Heavy use of electronic media, and especially watching too much TV and videos, increased the levels of risk factors not only in sedentary children, but also in children who are physically active, the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study (PANIC), carried out at the University of Eastern Finland, added.

Moreover, irregular eating frequency and an unhealthy diet were linked to increased risk factors for type 2 diabetes and vascular diseases.

These nutrition-related factors partially explain the link between heavy use of electronic media and the risk factors.

A total of 512 children aged 6 to 8 years participated in the study published in the journal International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.