Chennai, December, 2025: Doctors from Gleneagles Hospital Chennai have discovered that spending too much time in front of screens, whether phones, TVs, or computers—can worsen blood sugar control in people with Type 2 Diabetes. The study, led by Dr. V. Ashwin Karuppan, Dr. Aafrin Shabbir, Dr. Deepika Ganesh, and Dr. Hariharan Sukumaran, highlights how long hours of screen use, especially during weekends, raise blood sugar levels and affect overall health.

How the Study Was Done

The team studied 217 people with Type 2 Diabetes and measured their daily screen time, sleep habits, and sugar control (HbA1c). After the initial assessment, participants received counseling from a multidisciplinary team, including doctors and dietitians—on how to limit screen use, stay active, and improve sleep routines. After three months, the results were compared to see how reducing screen time affected blood sugar.

What the Results Showed

• People who spent more hours on screens during weekends had higher sugar levels (HbA1c).
• After counseling, average HbA1c reduced from 7.47% to 7.21%.
• Screen time is reduced by about 30–45 minutes per day, especially on weekends.
• Over half of the participants showed better sugar control after reducing screen exposure.

Why This Matters

Prolonged screen use leads to less physical activity, Binge eating, poor sleep, and stress, all of which affect diabetes control. The study clearly shows that cutting down screen time, especially before bed or on weekends, helps improve sugar levels naturally by improving good lifestyle because it also reflected reducing screen time can increase Physical Activity, Improve Diet pattern and Sleep Quality without changing medications.

Take-Home Message for the Public

“Your phone or TV could be silently affecting your sugar levels. Just by reducing screen time and moving more, you can see a visible improvement in your diabetes control,” said Dr. Ashwin Karuppan, the study’s lead author.

“Your phone shouldn’t control your health—put it down, move around, and watch your sugars come down.” – said Dr Aafrin Shabbir, one of the study authors.

Tips to Reduce Screen Time

(For everyone, especially people with diabetes and working professionals)

1. Set “no-screen” hours — keep the first hour after waking and the last hour before sleep screen-free.
2. Follow the 20–20–20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
3. Use real clocks — avoid checking time or notifications on your phone.
4. Turn off non-essential notifications — especially from social media and shopping apps.
5. Replace scrolling with strolling — every time you feel like browsing, take a short walk.
6. Keep screens out of the dining area and bedroom.
7. Track your daily screen time — seeing your usage helps you cut it consciously.
8. Schedule “digital detox” weekends — dedicate half a day to offline hobbies.
9. Read a physical book or listen to music instead of late-night videos.
10. Involve family or friends — plan “no-screen” family dinners or outdoor evening walks together.

“Your eyes and your sugar both need rest — not just from stress, but from screens.”