Watching TV and Excessive Computer Use Linked To Higher RIsk of Death

Australian researchers tracked 8,800 people for 6 years and found that those who watched 4 hours were 46% more likely to die of any cause and 80% more likely to die of heart disease than people who reported spending less than 2 hours a day in front of the tube.

The researchers say, “it’s not the sweaty type of exercise were losing,” as many of the participants did report getting 30-45 minutes a day of exercise, “it’s the incidental moving around, walking around, standing up and utilizing muscles that doesn’t happen when we are plunked on a couch in front of a television.”

There is an emerging body of research that shows how prolonged periods of inactivity can affect the body’s processing of fats and other substances that contribute to heart risk. You can avoid that by simply avoiding extended periods of sitting.

Take away? Stop sitting while doing things or at the very least, sit on a ball. I am right now and my whole staff does in my Chicago office.

Jim