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Australian researchers have found that for every hour of television viewed by a person over the age of 25, their life expectancy is reduced by 22 minutes. Based on the average of 6 hours of TV a day, that means that most people will live 4.8 years less. The study was based on an average 6 hours viewing per day, compared to a person who watches no television. Using data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study, the researchers generated life-expectancy tables based on the viewing habits of average people. Researchers found that, "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, smoking and obesity." "These findings suggest that substantial loss of life may be associated with prolonged TV viewing time." The research claims that a sedentary lifestyle is as bad for health as smoking and obesity, because of the dangers posed by inactivity and the greater opportunities it offers for unhealthy eating. Recent studies in the US concluded that the average American spent 35.5 hours a week watching TV. The study is the first of its kind to analyze the impact of television viewing on life expectancy and has called for a public health case to warn adults of the risks of watching too much television. |
