What Happens if a Person Watches Too Much TV?

Watching too much TV can lead to health problems such as heart disease.

According to a 2009 survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), TV watching is the activity that takes up the majority of Americans' leisure time. However, too much TV watching can affect your health and well-being.

Identification

The results of the 2009 American Time Use Survey, which were released in 2010, showed that on average, Americans age 15 and over spent at least 2.8 hours per day watching TV. This accounts for about half of leisure time, notes the BLS.

Significance

According to an American Heart Association study cited by CNN on its website, adults who watched more than four hours of TV per day were 80 percent more likely to die from heart disease. It is not the actual TV watching, but the reduction in physical activity caused by excessive TV watching that leads to health problems such as heart disease and weight gain, according to the study's authors.

Considerations

The Kids' Health website notes that excessive TV watching -- that is, more than two hours per day -- can impact physical and social development in children. They are more likely to be overweight and display aggressive behaviors as a result of viewing violent acts onscreen.

References

• Kids' Health: How TV Affects Your Child
• CNN Health: Too Much TV May Mean Earlier Death
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: American Time Use Survey