Long sitting in front of the TV increases the risk of death

Risk of dying long sitting

Long sitting in front of the TV or screen increases the risk of death: Researchers from the Australian Baker IDI Diabetes and Heart Institute have found that long periods of rest in front of the TV or screen dramatically increase the risk of death.

The scientists around Prof. David W. Dunstan, head of the Physical Activity Laboratory in the Department of Metabolism and Obesity at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute and one of the leading researchers in the field of the role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes, published their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association „Circulation“ under the title „Television Viewing Time and Mortality. The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study“.

They carried out a long-term study from 1999 to 2006 with a total of about 8,800 people. During this period, they examined the cholesterol and blood glucose levels associated with the lifestyle of 3,846 men and 4,954 women over the age of 25 who were not already suffering from cardiovascular disease.

They found that basically every hour we sit in front of the television, the risk of death increases by 11 percent and every additional hour the chance of not dying from cardiovascular disease worsens by 18 percent.

People who sit in front of the TV for 4 or more hours a day have a 46% increased overall risk of dying while the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease is increased by 80%. Given these results, dogmatists will certainly come to the theory of additional movement to operating temperature. But these values ​​are independent of how much someone else moves.

It seems to be sitting itself that has these effects. Regardless of whether it is in front of the TV, the monitor, at the desk, etc. This is confirmed by the heads of the study. They state that the results are independent of activity, diet, high blood pressure, smoking, and others. are.

To reduce negative factors from prolonged sitting to one's own health, the best solution is as simple as it is ingenious: to sit as little as possible. (Thorsten Fischer, Naturopath Osteopathy, 12.1.2010)

Additional information

Study in „Circulation“
Internet presence from the Baker IDI Diabetes and Heart Institute