Researchers from the University of Cambridge say that breaking the habit of eating while watching TV can prevent thousands of people from developing heart disease.
Researchers are now advising to reduce daily TV viewing to less than an hour, noting that sitting after a big dinner and snacking in front of the TV increases the risk of heart disease.
The researchers noted that sitting in front of the TV prevents people from burning calories at dinner and means they eat more fatty chips and chocolate.
The study estimates that 11% of cases of coronary heart disease can be prevented by reducing the time spent watching television to less than an hour a day.
The researchers found that adults who sat the longest in front of the television were up to 16% more likely to have the life -threatening condition. Calculations have shown that one in 10 cases will be prevented in people who watch less television.
But if people can’t get rid of their screen addiction, experts advise them to at least get up and switch between the TV shows they watch to break the inactivity.
They should also cut out snacks like potato chips and chocolate, according to academics working on a team from the University of Hong Kong.
Leading researcher Dr Yeonjun Kim, from the University of Hong Kong, said: “Reducing the amount of time you spend sitting in front of the TV can be a relatively simple lifestyle change that can help person. All of these measures can help better control the risk of coronary infection. ” heart disease”.
It should be noted that the most common symptoms of coronary artery disease are chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath, and this increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
In the study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, researchers calculated how to prevent 11% of coronary heart disease cases if people watched less than an hour of television a day.
The team used health data from 373,026 Britons and also analyzed their genetic susceptibility to heart disease. The researchers followed the volunteers for 13 years.
They examined the differences between people watching television and using computers for pleasure by examining their responses to the questionnaires.
The results showed that those who watched television for less than an hour a day were 16 percent less likely to have coronary heart disease compared to those who watched programs for four hours or more.
Experts say the lower rate of heart disease is independent of any genetic risk.
For those who watch two to three hours of television a day, there is a 6% lower risk of having the condition, compared to people who watch more than four hours.
But the study found that spending free time in front of a computer didn’t seem to affect the risk of disease.
The researchers revealed that this may be because television happens at night after dinner, usually the biggest meal of the day, leading to higher levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood.
The other reason, they explained, could be that people snack more in front of the TV than while using the computer, while watching TV is likely to be long and computer users are more likely to relax.
Chloe MacArthur, from the British Heart Foundation, says: “We know from decades of research that a sedentary lifestyle can lead to health problems later in life. And when you’re tempted to watch another episode on TV, try to stand up and walk. for a night walk. instead”.
“Skipping late-night snacking and making sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet can improve your heart health,” he continues.
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Arabic RT
