TV is more harmful than work
Sitting at the TV is more harmful than sitting at work
Lina Medvedeva, XX2 century
Being in a sitting position for a long time is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and early death. A study conducted by scientists from the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University (Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons) showed that different types of sitting are not equally harmful to health.
Sitting down (watching TV), as opposed to sitting at work, was associated with an increased risk of heart disease and death in a study involving more than 3,500 people. It has also been found that moderately active physical exercise can reduce or eliminate the harmful effects of sedentary TV viewing.
"Our results suggest that spending time outside of work can make a big difference when it comes to heart health," says study leader Keith M. Diaz. "Even if your job requires sitting for a long time, if you take a little time to engage in intense physical exercise, it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and death."
The study is published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (Garcia et al., Types of sedentary behavior and risk of cardiovascular events and mortality in blacks: the Jackson heart study).
The disadvantage of most previous studies was that people were not followed for quite a long time, which made it difficult to draw conclusions about the relationship between sedentary behavior and health risk. Also, in previous studies, mainly people of European origin were included, and physical activity was monitored without distinguishing between types of sitting position (in particular, work in the office and rest at home).
The new study involved 3,592 people, all of them African-Americans living in Jackson, Mississippi, the study was conducted for 8.5 years. Participants told how much time they usually spend sitting while watching TV and at work. They also reported how much free time they spend doing sports.
The risk of cardiovascular complications and death in those participants who watched TV for four hours or more a day was 50% higher than in those who spent less than two hours a day. Those who sat in the workplace the most were exposed to the same health risk as those who sit the least at the TV.
Even for the most dedicated viewers, moderate or severe physical activity, such as active walking or aerobics, reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes and death. People who watched TV for four hours or more a day and exercised for more than 150 minutes a week did not have an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death.
"Most people watch TV for hours without moving, while working people often get up from the table," says Diaz - Combining eating large portions of food, such as dinner, and sitting for several hours could be particularly harmful. More research is needed, but it is possible that a short break from watching TV and a walk may be sufficient to compensate for the harm caused by sitting in front of the TV. Almost any exercise that makes the heart beat faster can be useful."
Diaz notes that a similar approach to movement is also applicable at work: "We recognize that it is not easy for some workers, for example truck drivers, to take a break for rest. But the rest of us should get used to getting up from the workplace sometimes."
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