Do you spend a lot of time in front of the TV?
Most of us have our favorite shows and spend at least some time watching. Sometimes, at least for me, turning on the TV is a way of relaxing after a long day at work or caring for the kids.
Too much TV watching, however, might have a long-term impact on your health.
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicinereports time spent watching TV has a significant negative impact on life expectancy.
Using data from an Australian lifestyle and health survey, the researchers reported that those who spend a lifetime average of watching six hours or more TV per day lived nearly five years less than those who don’t watch any.
“Compared with persons who watch no TV, those who spend a lifetime average of 6 hours per day watching TV can expect to live 4.8 years less,” the analysis found.
And the researchers concluded, “TV viewing time may be associated with a loss of life that is comparable to other major chronic disease risk factors such as physical inactivity and obesity.”
Now it strikes me that inactivity and obesity are likely related to excessive TV watching, still this study simply adds to the evidence that it pays to turn off the boobtube and get active.
And if you’re trying to get back to regular exercise, the fitness director of the Myrna Brind Intergrative Fitness Center at Jefferson has some tips to get you started. Check out some good examples in the video above.
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