Too much TV risks early death
Watching too much television could have more serious consequences and lead to an early death, an Australian study suggests.
Researchers tracked the viewing habits of 8,800 adults and found that every hour spent in front of the box increased the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by 18%, from cancer by 9% and from all causes by 11%.
The study’s lead author, Professor David Dunstan, from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, said it was the first research to link watching TV with mortality and the results applied to everyone.
“Even if someone has a healthy body weight, sitting for long period of time still has an unhealthy influence on their blood sugar and blood fats,” he said.
“For many people on a daily basis, they simply shift from one chair to another. From the chair in the office to the chair in front of the television.”
“Technological, social and economic changes mean that people don’t move their muscles as much as they used to. And the risks associated with prolonged sitting are also not necessarily offset by doing more exercise.”
The chances of an early death are even higher for couch potatoes who spend four hours or more in front of the box each day, according to the study.
