"Watching three or more hours of television per day might put you at risk for an early death, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association."
those who watched more than three hours of television per day had more than twice the risk of premature death compared to participants who watched less than one hour.
“We think that computer use or driving are not so sedentary because, in fact, you are using your muscles to move your hands, you have muscle tension and stress,” Martinez-Gonzalez said. “[Also], if you are working with the computer or driving, you feel responsible for what you are doing, whereas if you are watching television you have no responsibility for what’s going on whatsoever.”
“The other reason we think television watching may be associated with higher mortality rate is a lot of time watching television every day could be a marker of isolation, being a lonely person with very little social support,” Martinez-Gonzalez said. “This is a proxy for isolation. So if you have low social support, your mortality risk is higher many times.”
However, they noted that people shouldn’t be worried about sitting in front of the television to enjoy a favorite show– as long as they keep their viewing time in moderation.
“There is nothing bad in watching television, nothing wrong, unless you spend four or five hours a day,” Martinez-Gonzalez said. “In so far as you you watch television for a while, two to two-and-a-half hours a day, this is perfect, no association, no significant [increase in] risk for those categories. Only when there are three or more hours a day.”
Personally, I think watching all the goddamn TV commercials is what kills you.
