What the Awful Truth About Television: “Heavy” TV watchers are twice as likely to be obese

Studies show: TV makes you fat This much time spent staring motionless is also dangerous for your health and your well-being. Many studies indicate the relationship between TV watching and obesity. Of particular interest are a few studies published in the American Journal of Public Health. The study found that people who watched three hours or more a day were twice as likely as those who watched less than one hour a day. Men, women, and children all have the same effects. Men, women, and children are all victims of their TV viewing habits. 40 studies found children's TV viewing related to weight In reviewing the latest 40 studies involving TV and childhood obesity, Kaiser Permanente's study found a direct link between the time children watch TV and their weight. The review also found that interventions that reduced children's media time resulted in weight loss. It is a good idea that TV will probably make it even harder This issue, however, does not require the benefit of many studies. It is a common misconception that people who watch a lot of TV may be overweight. Almost any other activity burns more calories than watching TV. Only sleep that burns fewer calories. Talking on the phone, reading a book, doing the dishes — all burn out more calories than watching television. At the national average of four and a half hours a day, the extra calories burned by turning off the TV can grow rapidly. Commercials are destroying food Then there are those ads for junk food. Hamburgers, mouthpieces, sweets, or delicious desserts ask you to eat them on the screen. There are about 32 commercials in every TV show that lasts an hour. An important part of these ads is fast food and junk food. What healthy food can resist the onslaught of these vicious, mouth-watering ads? Where did that bag of chips go? Finally, many people eat in front of the TV, usually with junk food such as potato chips, soda pop, or candy. In the zombie environment people often fall into while watching TV, it is very easy to eat a large amount of food, at the same time absorbing both images and food. “Where did that bag of potato chips go?” asked the confused audience. Press the button and lose weight The end of this is obvious. Turn off your TV if you are trying to lose weight. It is a first step toward a healthy, happy life. Turn off your TV and go outside. Turn off your TV and follow the same exercise routine you started last year. * Turn off your TV and do something fun with your friends or family. Turn off your TV and enjoy it for the rest of your life. About the ‘Bad Truth About Television’ series: What happens when the average American spends 4 hours 32 minutes every day watching television? Get Rid of Your TV Series ‘The Bad Truth About Television’ explores the various problems with TV in eleven hilarious topics. Read the full series and you will never watch your television set the same way. * Consult your doctor before starting any strenuous exercise program. The effects of individual weight loss will obviously depend on diet, exercise, and other factors. sources: Thomas N. Robinson, MD, MPH "Reducing Children's Television Watch Obesity Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial" JAMA, Oct 1999; 282: 1561 - 1567. LA Tucker and M Bagwell. "Television viewing and obesity in older women." Am J Public Health, Jul 1991; 81: 908 - 911. LA Tucker and GM Friedman. "Television viewing and obesity in older men." Am J Public Health, Vol 79, Issue 4 516-518.