Watching TV Excessively Might Kill You In 8 Different Ways

Television binge-watching has often been associated with an increased risk of obesity and heart disorders. However, a latest study has linked excessive TV watching with an increased risk of eight different diseases and disorders.

According to the researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute, excessive TV watching may contribute to some of the leading causes of deaths in the US. During the study, the researchers studied the health records of 220,000 aged between 50 and 71.

The team found that more time adults spent watching TV, the more likely they were to die from a range of conditions, including liver disease, pneumonia, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and cancer. The researchers say that their study findings were in agreement with studies conducted in the past that link too much sitting with the occurrence of adverse health effects.

In the study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the researchers say that Americans who watch TV for more than or equal to the average 3.5 hours per day were 15 percent more likely to die during the 15 years of the study period. On the other hand, people who sit in front of a TV for less than an hour daily, were far less likely to experience death during the study period.

The researchers further say that the risk rate increased to 47 percent for people who spend more than 7 hours a day watching TV. The increased risk of death remained even when the researchers accounted for other risk factors, including alcohol consumption and smoking.

The lead author of the study, Sarah Keadle said that the fact that the study findings apply to the older generation in the U.S. is especially worrisome. Keadle also said that people, who wish to reduce their sedentary time in front to the TV, should best replace it with a time slot for exercising.