The Importance of TV Time for Individuals at Risk of Diabetes
Excessive television viewing is a significant factor in leading a sedentary lifestyle, which can elevate the risk of heart disease and various other health issues.
New research suggests that the optimal TV watching duration for heart health is one hour or less.
The Risks of Sedentary Lifestyles
The study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association indicates that prolonged periods of inactivity, particularly watching more than two hours of TV a day, can raise the risk of severe heart and blood vessel diseases.
In the study, researchers monitored over 300,000 adults in the UK for nearly 14 years, identifying more than 21,000 cases of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a condition stemming from plaque accumulation in the arteries. They concluded that longer TV viewing times correlated with elevated disease risk, irrespective of an individual’s genetic tendency towards Type 2 diabetes.
Watching TV for two or more hours daily was associated with a 12 percent higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, regardless of genetic predisposition to Type 2 diabetes.
Individuals with medium and high genetic risks did not show an increased heart disease risk as long as their TV watching was limited to one hour per day. Notably, among those at high risk, participants who watched one hour or less had a slightly lower risk than low-risk individuals who viewed more than two hours daily.
Sedentary behavior contributes to artery plaque formation by impairing the function of blood vessel lining cells, inciting inflammation, and causing insulin resistance. “These factors adversely affect vascular health and may facilitate plaque development in arteries,” explains Michelle Routhenstein, a cardiology dietitian, preventive cardiology nutritionist, and owner of Entirely Nourished, in an interview with The Epoch Times.
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Cut Down on TV for Better Heart Health
Mengyao Wang, the study’s first author, along with Kim, highlighted that restricting TV time should be a fundamental approach to preventing cardiovascular events for the general public and particularly for those with a strong genetic risk of Type 2 diabetes.
“While various forms of sedentary behavior, like prolonged TV watching, have been linked to a heightened cardiovascular disease risk in previous studies, our research introduces an important new aspect,” they remarked.
The researchers noted their conclusions emphasize how lifestyle choices can significantly reduce heart disease risk, even among those with genetic predispositions.
It’s important to mention that the study exclusively involved white British participants, meaning the outcomes may not be applicable to other demographics.
Although TV viewing time was used as an indicator of sedentary behavior, Dr. Basel Ramlawi, system chief of cardiothoracic surgery and co-director at Lankenau Heart Institute at Main Line Health, mentioned in an interview with The Epoch Times that there is more to consider.
A person who doesn’t engage in at least 10 to 15 minutes of physical activity daily is classified as sedentary, he explained. “That small amount of time can make a significant difference; if someone isn’t achieving at least that, their heart disease risk is elevated.”
Choosing elevators over stairs, driving short distances, or finding it hard to incorporate daily movement all signify a sedentary lifestyle, Ramlawi added.
“The less active you are, the greater the consequences.”
For individuals who spend all day at a desk, Ramlawi recommends integrating movement into their daily routine—whether it’s taking a walking break, using a standing desk, or exercising before or after work.
Many organizations now offer on-site gyms or promote movement breaks as part of their commitment to employee health, he said.
“Even dedicating 30 minutes to movement at some point during the day—whether during lunch, before or after work—can significantly reduce the risks associated with being sedentary.”
