Prevention

Time Watching TV and Risk of Diabetes

Is watching television hazardous to your health?

In this study, the authors estimate that 43% of new cases of type 2 diabetes
could be prevented if
people limited TV viewing
and walked 1/2 hour daily.

Diabetes is rising rapidly and researchers are trying to determine why. Poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle seem to be the primary causes. Now, a new study¹ including 50,277 women shows that both of these factors (sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits) are linked to the amount of TV watched daily.

As you might suspect, the more time spent watching TV per day increased the risk of both obesity and diabetes. Here's what they found. For every two hours of TV watched daily, the risk of obesity increased by 23% and diabetes increased by 14%. These data include adjustments for dietary practices, age, smoking and other possible confounders.

Each 2 hours per day increment in sitting at work was also linked to a 5% increase in risk of obesity and a 7% increased risk of diabetes. In contrast, for every 2 hours standing or walking around at home was linked to a 9% reduction in obesity and a 12% reduction in diabetes.

Each one hour per day of brisk walking reduced the risk of obesity by 24% and the risk of diabetes by 34%. The researchers concluded that 30% of new cases of obesity and 43% of new cases of diabetes could be prevented by adopting an active lifestyle which they defined as:

Limiting TV viewing to less than 10 hours per week, and
Walking 30 minutes or more daily or other equivalent activity

Another study² found similar links between TV viewing and obesity in children. Time spent viewing TV was positively associated with obesity in girls. Young girls, ages 8-16 who watched the most TV (4+ hours daily) had the highest rates of obesity; 2.5 to 3.8 times higher than those watching no more than an hour per day. Not only were they more sedentary, but they also ate more, consuming 175 calories a day more than those who watched TV no more than an hour per day. The researchers point out that the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled in less than one generation.

Reference

References
1. HU FB, et al. Television watching and other sedentary behaviors in relation to risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus in women, JAMA Apr 9, 2003; 289:1785-1791
2. Crespo CJ, et al. Television watching, energy intake, and obesity in US children, Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine 155:360-365, Mar 2001

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Making Healthy Choices articles are written by Don Hall, DrPH, CHES president of LifeLong Health with contributions from associated health professionals. Content is general health information from evidence based research. It's purpose is not to treat disease or take the place of advice by your doctor but to promote healthy lifestyles. Persons with health problems should contact their physician for specific guidance.

Updated: 7-14-03 DRH