Watch Less TV and Live Longer

Australian researchers have analyzed the relationship between the average time spent watching TV and lifespan.  They published their findings in the journal Circulation online.  Earlier studies have shown that too much TV time is associated with cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure, coronary artery atherosclerosis, and so on), but this is the first study to look at mortality.

8,800 Australians over 25 were enrolled and followed for an average of 6½ years.  During this time there were 284 deaths (87 cardiovascular causes and 125 from cancer).  The risk of dying increased for each extra hour spent on daily TV viewing.  The risk of dying from any cause was raised 11% for each extra daily viewing hour; the risk of dying from a cardiovascular condition was increased by 18% per extra hour.  Put another way, Watching TV for an average of 2 to 4 hours daily increased the risk of dying from any cause by 13%, and from cardiovascular disease by 19%, compared with watching TV for less than 2 hours a day.  Watching for 4 hours or more daily increased the risk of dying from any cause by 46% and from cardiovascular disease by 80%, compared with those watching less than 2 hours a day.  There were no significant relationships with watching times and cancer or non-cardiovascular deaths.

This study brings home the ‘final’ effects of couch-potato behavior in heart-related mortality.  The answers – turn off the TV more often, or at least earlier.  Or else, throw the remote out of the window, and make sure you get up to change the channel or let the dog or cat out.  It may save your life!