To reach this conclusion, the researchers followed the lifestyle habits of 8,800 adults and found that each hour spent daily in front of television is associated withan 11 percent increased risk of mortality of all kinds, a 9 percent increased risk of dying from cancer, and an 18 percent increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, compared to subjects who watched less than 2 hours of television a day, those who spent more than four hours in front of the screen had a 46 percent higher risk of dying and an 80 percent higher risk of doing so from cardiovascular reasons . This association was maintained independently of other risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, unhealthy diet, excess waist circumference or physical exercise.
Although the study focused specifically on watching television, the findings suggest that anyprolonged sedentary behaviorhow sitting in front of a computer could pose a health risk. According to David Dunstan, head of the study, andThe human body was designed for movementand not for sitting for long periods of time. “What has happened is that many of the normal daily activities that involved standing or moving the muscles of the body have become sedentary,” he clarifies.
The researcher notes that his findings apply not only to those who are overweight or obese, but also to those who are at a healthy weight. “Even if someone is at a healthy body weight, sitting for long periods of time is still an unhealthy influence on their blood sugar and fat levels,” Dunstan says.
