According to Nielsen, the average American adult spends close to five hours daily watching television, often in a sedentary position on a cozy sofa or bed.
New research suggests that reducing TV viewing time by just one hour can lower the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases, especially for individuals with a genetic predisposition to diabetes. This study is among the first to connect diabetes-related health risks with sedentary TV-watching habits.
These findings are significant given the prevalence of diabetes in the United States, where one in ten adults has the condition, equating to over 38 million people. Individuals with diabetes face a heightened risk of developing heart diseases, the leading cause of death in the country.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that the risk of heart diseases increases by 12% when TV watching time escalates from one hour to a couple of hours daily.
For individuals with medium to high genetic risk of Type 2 diabetes, spending less than an hour watching TV each day does not raise the risk of cardiovascular issues.
“Type 2 diabetes and a sedentary lifestyle, including prolonged sitting, are major risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases,” notes Younwon Kim, the lead author of the study from The University of Hong Kong.
Previous studies have also linked such sedentary behaviors with health issues. In 2021, the AHA reported that excessive TV watching or computer use increases the risk of strokes and cognitive problems, including dementia.
“Watching TV, which makes up more than half of daily sedentary behavior, is consistently associated with a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis,” adds Kim. Experts suggest that reducing TV time could be a target for diabetes patients at risk of heart diseases.
The study suggests that sedentary behaviors, such as TV watching, could serve as a potential intervention for overall health improvement, not just for those at risk of Type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association also emphasizes the impact of sedentary behavior on heart health.
