Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Adolescents with too much screen time or gadget use in a day develop higher chances of contracting obesity and hypertension, the Department of Science and Technology said on Thursday.</p><p>“On its own may mga masamang epekto yung sobrang screen time, kulang sa tulog at sobra sa pag-upo pero kapag ginawa mo daw po ito ng sabay-sabay, mas tumataas yung chance ninyo na maging overweight, obese at magkaroon ng hypertension,” DOST science research specialist Patricia Isabel Amita said. </p><p>“Madalas nating isipin na yung hypertension ay sakit lang ng matatanda pero pinapakita ng aming pag-aaral na maaari rin po itong maranasan ng ating mga kabataan sa aming pag-aaral na 10-17 years old,” she told state television PTV.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/1/8/study-shows-how-fast-kilos-return-after-ending-weight-loss-drugs-1057">Study shows how fast kilos return after ending weight-loss drugs</a></div><p>The Philippines’ National Nutrition Survey in 2023 showed that 7 percent of Filipino adolescents are already suffering from hypertension, Amita said.</p><p>“Nakakagulat po iyon kasi sila yung inaasahan natin na mas nasa stage ng life na dapat ay napakalusog,” she said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/7/11/the-hidden-cost-of-obesity-ph-risks-losing-its-workforce-before-it-grows-up-1445">The hidden cost of obesity: PH risks losing its workforce before it grows up</a></div><p>Parents should design a more active lifestyle for children by encouraging them to play sports or to engage in long walks with the family, Amita said.</p><p>“Dapat buong pamilya po ay involved para magkaroon ng pagbabago.”</p><p>Children should refrain from using gadgets an hour before bedtime to help them have <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/10/17/do-women-need-more-sleep-than-men-science-says-they-do-1150">better sleep quality</a>, she said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/11/14/us-to-factor-obesity-special-needs-children-in-refusing-visas-0848">US to factor obesity, special-needs children in refusing visas </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/3/4/60-of-adults-will-be-overweight-or-obese-by-2050-study-0809">60% of adults will be overweight or obese by 2050: study</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/6/9/killing-the-mood-smartphones-reduce-birth-rate-studies-say-829">Killing the mood: Smartphones reduce birth rate, studies say</a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HPR90wyJJ6A?&amp;pp=0gcJCU8LAYcqIYzv&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Adolescents with too much screen time or gadget use in a day develop higher chances of contracting obesity and hypertension, the Department of Science and Technology said on Thursday.</p>

Adolescents with too much screen time or gadget use in a day develop higher chances of contracting obesity and hypertension, the Department of Science and Technology said on Thursday.

DOST warns too much screen time may lead to hypertension in adolescents

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DOST warns too much screen time may lead to hypertension in adolescents

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 09, 2026 04:55 PM PHT

Read More:

DOST

Department of Science and Technology

screen time

hypertension

obesity

health

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