Television Watching Habits

Television is one of the essential medium of information as well as entertainment to people of all ages. Several decades later, technology has even made television more interesting and informative. Undeniably, the boob tube has become a part of our daily life. When television was introduced to us, we would never have presumed the likelihood of the eventual risks it would cause to our health.  These days, more hours are habitually spent watching TV, making this an addiction to most people.

The boob tube is even introduced to children in as early as toddler stage.  Some moms, busy as they are, rely on the television to occupy their children’s attention while they have to do several other chores at home.  With the parents’ careful selection of the TV shows they allow their children to watch, they unknowingly have initiated the occurrence of a possible lifetime habit.

One of the current concerns all over the world is the amplification of the sedentary lifestyles of different societies due to TV watching and computer games. We have increasingly spent more hours sitting in front of the television than doing other physical activities at home and outdoors.  Minimal physical activity deters people to have a long and healthy life. Sometimes, families spend more time watching the TV together than talking to each other.  This is a way for a family to bond but communication is still more important.  Some children and even adults eat their dinner in front of the TV just to avoid missing out on their favorite shows.

Health concerns have been raised by medical groups regarding the effects of TV watching and several studies have been initiated by reputable universities and institutions which have resulted to significant findings affecting our society.  In a study conducted by a group of doctors “[…] among 50,277 women with a BMI of less than 30, it was found that time spent watching TV was positively associated with risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The more they watch TV, the more likely they become overweight and develop type 2 diabetes due to low metabolic rates.” (Hu, Frank B. et al)

Not only does this habitual addiction to TV affect women but more so with children and teenagers who frequently watch TV for hours when they arrive from school. “Too little physical activity may also cause them to become restless and struggle with sleep. It was observed that youngsters playing games, watching TV and texting on mobile phones late into the night are losing up to a month’s worth of sleep a year. Watching three hours or more a day leaves children and teenagers twice as likely to develop sleep problems such as insomnia at ages 16 and 22.  The lack of sleep was threatening the physical and mental health of up to one million primary-age children.” (Utton)

In a separate research done in 2002, it was observed that TV watching is relative to the emergence of smoking habits to teenagers. The youth who watched 5 or more hours of TV per day were 5.99 times more likely to initiate smoking behaviors than those youth who watched less than two hours (Gidwani, Pradeep P. et al).

With these mentioned studies, it is apparent that there is a need for public health campaigns to be introduced to the society.  Exercise should be encouraged as well as reduction of time spent in watching TV and other sedentary activities.  Parents, who are responsible for keeping their kids healthy, should implement household rules that could prevent this.  Children may be encouraged to participate more actively in sports while in school. A family may do activities regularly together such as hiking, biking, camping or simply going for a picnic.

WORKS CITED

Gidwani, Pradeep P., Arthur Sobol, William DeJong, James M. Perrin, and Steven

Gortmaker.  “Television Viewing and Initiation of Smoking among Youth.” Pediatrics. 110-3 (2002): 505-508. 02 December 2007. <http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/110/3/505>

Hu, Frank B., Tricia Y. Li, Graham A. Colditz, Walter C. Willett, and JoAnn E. Manson.          “Television Watching and Other Sedentary Behaviors in Relation to Risk of Obesity  and Type 2 Diabetes Milletus in Women.” Journal of the American Medical      Association (JAMA). 289.14 (2003): 1785-1791. 02 December 2007.                   http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/289/14/1785

Utton, Tim. “Insomnia Link to Excess TV Watching.” The Mail on Sunday. 26 October

2004. 02 December 2007. <http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/womenfamily.html?in_article_id=306552&in_page_id=1799&in_a_source=>