Academics warn that every hour spent watching television shortens the viewer’s life by 22 minutes. Anyone who spends six hours a day in front of the box is at risk of dying five years sooner than those who enjoy more active pastimes!
Researchers say that watching too much TV is as dangerous as smoking or being overweight, and that the “ubiquitous sedentary behavior” should be seen as a “public health problem.” Experts from the University of Queensland, Australia, write: “TV viewing time may have adverse health consequences that rival those of lack of physical activity, obesity and smoking; every single hour of TV viewed may shorten life by as much as 22 minutes.”
Referring to Australian and American guidelines that suggest children should spend no more than two hours a day in front of a screen, the academics conclude: “With further corroborative evidence, a public health case could be made that adults also need to limit the time spent watching TV.”
Source: University of Queensland, Australia
