CHICAGO — 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.

The findings, based on a study of children with Type 1 diabetes, lend support to the American Academy of Pediatrics' advice that children watch no more than two hours of TV daily, said lead author Dr. Hanna Margeirsdottir of the University of Oslo.

Type 1 diabetes is the less common form of the disease and used to be called juvenile diabetes. It is not related to obesity and is caused when the body cannot make insulin, which converts sugar from food into energy. People with Type 1 must take insulin daily and regulate their blood sugar levels.

Snacking and overeating can increase blood sugar levels; physical activity can lower them. While TV-viewing is often accompanied by snacking, the researchers didn't examine diet or physical activity.

If the researchers' theory is right, then turning off the TV could be added to a list of remedies "that are very low-cost to the health care system," said Dr. Francine Kaufman, head of a diabetes program at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.