Key points from article :
A recent study by Harvard researchers highlights a clear connection between prolonged television watching and a lower likelihood of healthy ageing. The research, conducted over 20 years, analyzed data from more than 45,000 women participating in the Nurses Health Study. The study defines healthy ageing as the absence of chronic diseases, memory impairments, and physical limitations.
The findings show that for every additional two hours spent watching TV, the chances of meeting the criteria for healthy ageing dropped by 12%. Women who watched between two and five hours of TV weekly were 9% less likely to age healthily compared to those who watched less than an hour. Those who spent 21 to 40 hours watching TV were 40% less likely to age well, while women watching over 41 hours per week had a 45% lower likelihood.
Interestingly, the study found that sitting in other contexts, such as at work or while reading, did not significantly impact healthy ageing. The issue seems specific to watching TV, which is often paired with inactivity and other unhealthy behaviors, such as snacking. Women who watched more TV tended to have higher body mass indexes, consumed more calories, and had higher rates of smoking and drinking.
The researchers recommend limiting TV time to under three hours a day and replacing it with activities like walking or light physical tasks. Engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily also boosts the chances of healthy ageing.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the study suggests that promoting active lifestyles, especially as populations age, is crucial for preventing the onset of chronic diseases and maintaining mental and physical health well into old age. While the research focused on women, the findings are likely relevant to men as well.
