Death by T.V.?
Inactivity, snacking, and always sitting may all be risk factors of watchin g television. Watching TV may be unhealthier than other sedentary activities, says Peter Katzmarzyk, PhD, an exercise scientist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in Baton Rouge, La.
Studies show that television leads to an increase in the consumption of energy-dense, snack-type foods,” he says. “It’s a stimulus for poor dietary behavior, whereas some of the other types of sedentary behavior are less likely to stimulate poor snacking behaviors.” And because it burns so few calories—about the same as sleeping, hour for hour—watching TV tends to reduce a person’s overall energy output.
Technology has made people more sedentary in general. While there are still plenty of occupations that require people to be on their feet all day, more and more of us sit at desks, glued to computer screens. Instead of walking down the hall to speak with co-workers, we email them.
Doctors recommend that people with desk jobs get up every so often and just stretch and walk around. Or prop up your monitor and stand while your talking on the phone.
Exercise is important for health, but avoiding prolonged periods of sitting is nearly as important. Get up every so often, go for a walk or do some kind of activity where you are standing and moving.