Watching too much TV can give you diabetes -
Scientists found that an average day’s viewing increases the chance of developing the condition by nearly 14 per cent.
It means that couch potatoes could be sending themselves to an early grave. But a few simple lifestyle changes such as exercising, eating a healthy diet and reducing inactivity could help slash the chance of being struck by the condition.
The study stated: “Future lifestyle intervention programmes should emphasise reducing television watching and other sedentary behaviours in addition to increasing physical activity.”
The research, carried out in the US, looked at data from more than 3,000 overweight adults on a Type 2 diabetes prevention programme.
They were given either a placebo, the drug metformin – which is used to treat diabetes – or took part in a lifestyle intervention scheme.
Researchers looked at whether, as well as increasing activity levels, lifestyle intervention also made those taking part spend less time sitting.
They found that the risk of developing diabetes increased by around 3.4 per cent for each hour spent watching TV, with the more watched the greater the risk.
Official figures show the average UK adult watches four hours of television a day, meaning the risk goes up by 13.6 per cent.
Lead author Bonny Rockette- Wagner, of the University of Pittsburgh, said: “Our finding of a relationship between sedentary behaviour and diabetes incidence means that reductions in sitting can translate into a positive health effect separate from improvements to moderate-vigorous activity like brisk walking.”
With better awareness of sitting behaviours and efforts to reduce sitting, it may be possible to have an even greater impact, she added.
We need to do more in our prevention efforts to include sitting as a modifiable risk factor for diabetes development, especially in those who are at high risk.
Dr Andrea Kriska
Before the trial, all three groups said they spent an average of around two hours and 20 minutes a day watching TV.
But the researchers found that while the placebo and metformin groups reduced their daily TV watching by an average of just nine and six minutes respectively, those taking part in the lifestyle scheme cut their sitting and watching time by an average 37 minutes a day.
It was noted that subsequent changes in body weight may account for some of the relationship between sitting behaviour changes and diabetes development.
Senior author Dr Andrea Kriska, whose findings are published in the journal Diabetologia, said: “We want people to be aware of the fact that sitting is another modifiable risk factor for diabetes.
“We need to do more in our prevention efforts to include sitting as a modifiable risk factor for diabetes development, especially in those who are at high risk.
“It is important for people to become aware of how much time they spend sitting and to find ways to reduce their overall sitting time.
“It is really about being aware of all your modifiable behaviours and making changes that make the most sense for you.”
Richard Elliott, research communications manager at Diabetes UK, said: “We already know that more physical activity and spending less time seated, along with eating a healthy balanced diet, are the best ways to prevent Type 2 diabetes.”
He added that while the study did not directly compare the impact of watching TV with the impact of other seated activities such as reading or commuting, “it still adds to evidence that less time spent sitting helps to reduce your risk of this condition”.
Read more -
Scientists found that an average day’s viewing increases the chance of developing the condition by nearly 14 per cent.
It means that couch potatoes could be sending themselves to an early grave. But a few simple lifestyle changes such as exercising, eating a healthy diet and reducing inactivity could help slash the chance of being struck by the condition.
The study stated: “Future lifestyle intervention programmes should emphasise reducing television watching and other sedentary behaviours in addition to increasing physical activity.”
The research, carried out in the US, looked at data from more than 3,000 overweight adults on a Type 2 diabetes prevention programme.
They were given either a placebo, the drug metformin – which is used to treat diabetes – or took part in a lifestyle intervention scheme.
Researchers looked at whether, as well as increasing activity levels, lifestyle intervention also made those taking part spend less time sitting.
They found that the risk of developing diabetes increased by around 3.4 per cent for each hour spent watching TV, with the more watched the greater the risk.
Official figures show the average UK adult watches four hours of television a day, meaning the risk goes up by 13.6 per cent.
Lead author Bonny Rockette- Wagner, of the University of Pittsburgh, said: “Our finding of a relationship between sedentary behaviour and diabetes incidence means that reductions in sitting can translate into a positive health effect separate from improvements to moderate-vigorous activity like brisk walking.”
With better awareness of sitting behaviours and efforts to reduce sitting, it may be possible to have an even greater impact, she added.
We need to do more in our prevention efforts to include sitting as a modifiable risk factor for diabetes development, especially in those who are at high risk.
Dr Andrea Kriska
Before the trial, all three groups said they spent an average of around two hours and 20 minutes a day watching TV.
But the researchers found that while the placebo and metformin groups reduced their daily TV watching by an average of just nine and six minutes respectively, those taking part in the lifestyle scheme cut their sitting and watching time by an average 37 minutes a day.
It was noted that subsequent changes in body weight may account for some of the relationship between sitting behaviour changes and diabetes development.
Senior author Dr Andrea Kriska, whose findings are published in the journal Diabetologia, said: “We want people to be aware of the fact that sitting is another modifiable risk factor for diabetes.
“We need to do more in our prevention efforts to include sitting as a modifiable risk factor for diabetes development, especially in those who are at high risk.
“It is important for people to become aware of how much time they spend sitting and to find ways to reduce their overall sitting time.
“It is really about being aware of all your modifiable behaviours and making changes that make the most sense for you.”
Richard Elliott, research communications manager at Diabetes UK, said: “We already know that more physical activity and spending less time seated, along with eating a healthy balanced diet, are the best ways to prevent Type 2 diabetes.”
He added that while the study did not directly compare the impact of watching TV with the impact of other seated activities such as reading or commuting, “it still adds to evidence that less time spent sitting helps to reduce your risk of this condition”.
Read more -
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/567838/couch-potato-diabetes-risk
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