By Simon Shepherd
Don't adjust your sets – a new study into TV-watching has found that even as little as an hour a day will increase your chances of dying from heart disease.
It's not just the overweight who are at risk - those of us who do work-out are still shortening our lives by spending too much time on the couch.
New research in Australia says even just one hour a day is bad, with the lifetime risks climbing dramatically the more you watch.
"Compared to those watching less than two hours a day, people watching more than four hours a day increase their risk of dying from all causes by 46 percent, and 80 percent for cardiovascular disease," says David Dunstand of the Heart & Diabetes Institute.
Dr Dunstan's study followed more than 8000 people over six years, and found that for every hour of TV watched a day, the risk of heart disease increased by 20 percent.
"Too much sitting is bad for your health, whether in front of TV or spending long hours at work in front of the computer screen."
Kiwis are watching more and sitting more. Figures from 2008 show the average time spent in front of the TV is three hours a day, and that doesn't include computers and gaming consoles.
The study also found if you exercise but still watch a lot, there's an increased risk of disease.
"It's not surprising, 'cause we know that more TV-watching is associated with obesity, and that's a link with both cancer and metabolic disease of all sorts, including cardiovascular disease," says Robyn Toomath.
Dr Toomath argues that it is not just inactivity that causes obesity - it's also bad diet, promoted by advertising.
"Those of us keen to reduce the prevalence of obesity in society strongly feel that the advertising of junk food on television should be curtailed," she says.
The TV Broadcasters Council couldn't be reached for comment, but all health researchers agree - less TV, and more exercise is essential for a healthy future.
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