Television Makes You Fat!

Ditch the television and lose weight?  Could that really be true?  YES, and now research proves it! 

But wait;  the television is so IMPORTANT!  How could I do without it?  What would I do with my time?  How would I be entertained?  How would I keep up with news, fashion, current events, trends, catastrophes, politics, etc.?  Wouldn’t I become hopelessly lost without the media to tell me what we think and how to behave?  The thought of no television is just too scary for most people to consider. 

But, consider this: there is a DIRECT connection between the number of hours you watch television and the fat you are carrying around.  Are you really willing to sacrifice your precious body on the altar of the boob tube everyday?  Well, if you’re  sitting on your tush in front of the black box for more than an hour daily, that is exactly what you ARE doing.  Not so, you say!  Impossible!  That won’t happen to ME!  Who says so? 

Well, both research and real life experience says so.  I’ve personally watched people lose an interesting, independent lifesytle and gain a dependent television habit.  Coincidentally, at the same time they also gained weight, lost muscle tone, and increased their intake of junk foods.  Coincidence?  Research says not.  A study in the March issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine showed a direct relationship between hours in front of the telly and overweight.  Researchers at the University at Buffalo assigned overweight children who watched television or played computer games at least 14 hours a week to an intervention group.  They gradually reduced screen time by 10 percent each week until the screen time was reduced by 50 percent.  They encouraged participation in activities other than TV or computer use.   After two years, the researchers found that people in the intervention group had reduced their screen time by nearly 17.5 hours per week, and 30 percent of the group achieved a healthy BMI by the end of the two-year study. 

Reducing screen time yields a two-for-one punch in the battle of the “bulge”.  First, it gets people off the couch and moving.  New-found freedom can be used for walking, doing household chores, playing outside, visiting friends, volunteering in the community, playing an instrument, learning a new hobby, visiting a museum; SO many choices!  Each choice has the added benefit of enriching your life besides burning more calories.

Secondly, research shows that television promotes mindless eating and consumption of junk food.  Commercials for the latest convenience foods make us think we are hungry when we really are not.  The commercials keep food at the forefront of our consciousness.  And, with only steps to the refrigerator or pantry, food is ready for the taking.  Our idle hands need something to do while our brains are sedated by the idiot box and we are perfect victims for the commercial food industry.  (“Boy, that Hot Pocket looks good!   I’ve got one in the freezer and it only takes a minute or two to heat in the microwave!  Thank goodness for modern convenience – YUM!” )

Now, research shows that television times also contribtutes to depression in teens and that media exposure increases the risk of obesity, smoking, earlier sexual activity, drug and alcohol use, and poorer school performance.

Take control and try reducing YOUR screen time (or your family’s) by 10 percent each week.  You won’t believe the things you’ll have time for!  And, after two or three months, I bet you won’t miss the television if you replace it with new and interesting activities.  Get out and live your own life instead of watching one on TV.  You’ll be glad you did!