Couch Potatoes Beware!

Couch Potatoes Beware:

Too Much Time Spent Watching TV

Is Harmful to Heart Health

Spending too much leisure time

in front of a TV or computer screen

appears to dramatically increase the

risk for heart disease and premature

death from any cause, perhaps

regardless of how much exercise

one gets, according to a new study

published in the January 18, 2011,

issue of the Journal of the American

College of Cardiology.

Data show that compared to people who spend less than two

hours each day on screen-based entertainment like watching

TV, using the computer or playing video games, those who

devote more than four hours to these activities are more than

twice as likely to have a major cardiac event that involves

hospitalization, death or both.

The study examines the association between screen time and

non-fatal, as well as fatal cardiovascular events, also suggests

metabolic factors and inflammation may partly explain the link

between prolonged sitting and the risks to heart health.

"People who spend excessive amounts of time in front of a

screen, primarily watching TV, are more likely to die of any

cause and suffer heart-related problems," said researchers

from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health,

University College London, United Kingdom. "Our analysis

suggests that two or more hours of screen time each day

may place someone atgreater risk for a cardiac event."

In fact, compared with those spending less than two hours

a day on screen-based entertainment, there was a 48%

increased risk of all-cause mortality in those spending four

or more hours a day and an approximately 125% increase in

risk of cardiovascular events in those spending two or more

hours a day. These associations were independent of traditional

risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, Body Mass Index,

social class, as well as exercise.

The findings have prompted authors to advocate for public

health guidelines that expressly address recreational sitting

(defined as during non-work hours), especially as a majority

of working age adults spend long periods being inactive while

commuting or being slouched over a desk or computer.

"It is all a matter of habit. Many of us have learned to go back

home, turn the TV set on and sit down for several hours, it's

convenient and easy to do. But doing so is bad for the heart

and our health in general," said researchers. "And according to

what we know so far, these health risks may not be mitigated by

exercise, a finding that underscores the urgent need for public

health recommendations to include guidelines for limiting

recreational sitting and other sedentary behaviors, in addition

to improving physical activity."

Biological mediators also appear to play a role. Data indicate

that one fourth of the association between screen time and

cardiovascular events was explained collectively by C-reactive

protein (CRP), body mass index, and high-density lipoprotein

cholesterol suggesting that inflammation and deregulation of

lipids may be one pathway through which prolonged sitting

increases the risk for cardiovascular events. CRP, a well-

established marker of low-grade inflammation, was

approximately two times higher in people spending more

than four hours of screen time per day compared to those

spending less than two hours a day.

The next step will be to try to uncover what prolonged sitting

does to the human body in the short- and long-term, whether

and how exercise can mitigate these consequences, and how

to alter lifestyles to reduce sitting and increase movement and

exercise.

The present study included 4,512 adults who were respondents

of the 2003 Scottish Health Survey, a representative, household-

based survey. A total of 325 all-cause deaths and 215 cardiac

events occurred during an average of 4.3 years of follow up.

Measurement of "screen time" included self-reported TV/DVD

watching, video gaming, as well as leisure-time computer use.

Authors also included multiple measures to rule out the

possibility that ill people spend more time in front of the screen

as opposed to other way around. Authors excluded those who

reported a previous cardiovascular event (before baseline)

and those who died during the first two years of follow up just

in case their underlying disease might have forced them to stay

indoors and watch TV more often. The research team also

adjusted analyses for indicators of poor health (e.g., diabetes,

hypertension).

Story Source:

American College of Cardiology

Journal Reference:

Screen-Based Entertainment Time, All-Cause Mortality, and

Cardiovascular Events: Population-Based Study With Ongoing

Mortality and Hospital Events Follow-Up. Journal of the

American College of Cardiology, Too Much Time Spent

Watching TV Is Harmful to Heart Health 2011;

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice,

diagnosis or treatment.