Video Killed . . . You
It’s no secret that watching loads of TV is bad for your health. But really, how bad can it be? A new study published in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association answers that question with some real numbers: Every 2 hours of TV watching per day increases your risk of type 2 diabetes by 20 percent, cardiovascular disease by 15 percent, and premature death by any cause by 13 percent.
Researchers calculated these numbers using several previous studies that looked at how sitting in front of the tube for hours on end affects your health. With the average American now tuning in for 5 hours a day, it’s important to know exactly what the consequences are, says study coauthor Frank B. Hu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health.
The link between TV watching and chronic disease isn’t too mysterious (unlike the entire plot of Lost). People who watch weekend-long House marathons tend to exercise less and eat more—especially more junk food, Hu explains. On the flip side, he says, people who watch little to no TV have the opposite behaviors and are usually healthier because of it.
Don’t think you’re entitled to hours of tube time just because you worked out, that day either. As we reported in the special reportSentenced to the Chair, people who didn’t do much real exercise but had high levels of nonexercise activity burned significantly more calories than subjects who ran 35 weekly miles and did a moderate amount of nonexercise activity in a 2007 study. (Related from MensHealth.com: Does Exercise Make You Lazy?)
It all boils down to a simple message: Flip off the tube and find another way to suck up hours of each day, preferably exercising and eating well. (Try a 30-day FREE trial of Men’s Health Personal Trainer for a plan catered directly to your goals.)
If you’re going to watch something, how about half an hour of comedic gold instead of 2 hours of crap? Here are this year's 3 Must-Watch Shows. And click here to learn the 19 Temptations You Should Resist or Indulge—and where TV falls on the list.
Have Men's Health News delivered to you daily. Sign up for the FREE Daily Dose Newsletter!
-
Abs Diet: Drinking Water
You know that water is good for more than plants and spring break T-sh
-
What Supplements Do YOU Take?
I’m sitting on a plane the other day flying home from a quick trip to
-
Are Restaurants Lying to You?
It sucks when a restaurant messes up your order—but it’s even worse if
-
Weight Loss: Abs Diet and Fast Food
• Get a volume discount at the local Wok-n-Roll. • Know ho
-
Why You Eat When You’re Stressed
Do you hit the Chinese buffet extra hard after a hellish meeting? Or
-
Is Obesity the Government’s Business?
Sorry, Uncle Sam, but you’ve been benched in the fight against obesity
- DON'T MISS
- Your Recipe For Weight Loss Success: Passion: MensHealth.com
- 3 Weight-Loss Apps That Work
- Habits That Slow Metabolism
- Try the Abs Diet strength-training interval workout
- The TRUTH About Fasted Cardio
- How to Beat Your Cravings
- Weight Loss: Abs Diet Breakfast Foods
- Weight Loss: Abs Diet Circuit Exercises
- Why Tax Saturated Fat?
- Negative Relationships Affect Your Waistline
