Binge-watching is more harmful to your health than sitting at your desk all day, according to a new study.
Multiple studies have already investigated how sedentary behaviours associated with a desk job can increase the risk of heart disease, obesity and even premature death. However, researchers wanted to know if watching TV for long periods can have the same impact as sitting for too long.
3,592 participants from Jackson, Mississippi, were surveyed for the new study. The respondents self-reported how much time they spent at a desk, watching TV and how much they exercised. Researchers only followed up with the participants after eight years to asses their health. The team found people who watched more than four hours of television daily had a 50 per cent risk of developing heart disease and even premature death compared to those who watched TV for only two hours.
"TV watching may be associated with heart-health risks more than sitting at work [due to] the time of day people watch TV and the other lifestyle habits surrounding TV watching," Jeanette Garcia, Ph.D., lead study author and University of Central Florida professor of kinesiology and physical therapy, told a news portal. Adding, "TV watching occurs at the end of the day when individuals may consume their biggest meal, and people may be completely sedentary with hours of uninterrupted sitting until they go to bed. … Eating a large meal and then sitting for hours at a time could be a very harmful combination."
One of the reasons binge watching may be worse than sitting for too long is because people often snack on unhealthy foods while they watch their favourite show. While office workers may sit for too long, their day also includes taking breaks and doing a little walking.
Researchers urge people to make a few changes in their routine like reducing the time they spend watching TV and to be mindful about the snacks they consume. They also urge binge watchers to exercise a little more than they normally would in order to maintain good health.
The study's findings were originally published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
