Watching TV Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Disease?

This week’s Wall Street Journal health section reports the new Australian study that tracked 8800 people for six years to determine risk of disease related to TV watching.  Bottom line:

Those watching more than 4 hours of TV per day were 46% more likely to die of any cause and 80% more likely to die of heart disease.

I was rather shocked by that statistic as I’m sure many people would be.  The leading researcher on the study, David Dunstan, states:

“The implication of these findings is that the extraordinary amount of sitting can undo the good effects that we know are a benefit when we get regular exercise." 

The study showed that for each hour spent sitting in front of the TV the risk of cardiovascular and other diseases increased by 11-18%.

So should be ban TV’s from our houses?  I think not.  However, this study shows that not only it is  important to eat properly and exercise but be ACTIVE. 

Take the stairs, opportunistically walk whenever you can, and catch every chance you can to get up, take a break from the computer, water the plants, or whatever it requires to be active.  It sure beats having heart disease or illness and is a great way to start the year!