Watching TV ‘can cut life expectancy’

A new study has found that every hour spent watching television can increase the risk of dying earlier.

Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the Australian research suggests spending time in front of the TV can significantly increase a person’s risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

It discovered that each hour spent watching television daily was associated with an 11 per cent higher risk of death from all causes, a nine per cent increased risk of cancer death and an 18 per cent higher risk of suffering a cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related death.

Additionally, the authors of the study stated that any prolonged sedentary behaviour – including sitting at a desk or in front of a computer – can pose a health risk.

“Technological, social, and economic changes mean that people don’t move their muscles as much as they used to – consequently the levels of energy expenditure as people go about their lives continue to shrink,” explained David Dunstan from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Victoria.

The researchers said that the report’s findings should act as a warning not just for those who are overweight but those of a healthy weight too.