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
It’s interesting how the healthy thing to do is stay away from the TV and computer, yet so many things in daily life send us TO the computer … including your blog! So much of our work is done online, and now even training for work and lots of other activities is provided online. I’m personally not on Facebook, but a person is often considered a social outcast if they are not, and of course you better be online if you are looking for work. It’s pretty difficult to stay away from the computer these days if you want to function in the year 2010! I’d sure like to hear your thoughts about this for those of us who don’t have an “active” job and like to enjoy a few TV shows.
Comment by Sara — February 3, 2010 at 5:34 pm
I totally love to watch TV and am frequently at my computer. But I am up getting things, watching as a stand up, you name it all the time. I even stand at my computer by putting it on my kitchen counter in both my home and office and have always found that I think better when on my feet.
I would also always sit on a ball and not in a chair, which instantly uses more muscles.
And just limit the TV time.
Jim
Comment by Jim Karas — February 3, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Do you put the ball in one of those wheel bases, or just directly on the floor? How often do you have to add air to keep it firm for sitting?
Comment by Sara — February 4, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Don’t put it in the wheel base unless you are really a beginner and just fill it when it starts to feel soft in any way as the harder it is, the more challenging it will be.
Jim
Comment by Jim Karas — February 4, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Some of us still use (and prefer) desktop computers, wired modems, and ergonomic keyboards, so don’t have much flexibility to stand while computing. I’ve always been someone who walks around more than my co-workers, but it’s still a desk job.
Comment by Sara — February 5, 2010 at 2:16 am
The fact that you are moving around is good. Just try to even more in the future.
Comment by Jim Karas — February 5, 2010 at 4:51 am