Too much TV can kill you

In a warning to all the couch potatoes, a recent study by Harvard has revealed a higher risk for people with excessive television habits of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature death.

In a warning to all the couch potatoes, a recent study by Harvard has revealed a higher risk for people with excessive television habits of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature death.



More than two hours of TV viewing per day increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and more than three hours of daily viewing increased risk of premature death, according to the study by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers.

For additional two hours of viewing per day, the risk of type 2 diabetes increased by 20 per cent, that of cardiovascular disease by 15 per cent and premature death by 13 per cent.



"The message is simple. Cutting back on TV watching can significantly reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and premature mortality," senior author Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH said.



"We should not only promote increasing physical activity levels but also reduce sedentary behaviours, especially prolonged TV watching," Hu said.

Most people around the world divide their day largely between work, sleep and watching television, according to the researchers.

Europeans and Australians spend about 3-4 hours watching TV while Americans spend an average of five hours before the idiot box.

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