Researchers
probe link between obesity and behavior in women
Obesity
Policy Report
April 10, 2003
Medical researchers studying the relationship
between different types of sedentary behavior
and obesity in women have come to a familiar conclusion:
long hours spent watching television can significantly
contribute to weight gain.
This isn't the first time or even the hundredth
that TV-watching has been singled out for blame.
But until now, researchers say there was precious
little data on how much that activity contributes
to obesity compared to other sedentary behaviors,
such as sitting at a desk, driving or even playing
board games.
Writing in the current issue of the Journal of
the American Medical Association, researchers
from the Harvard School of Medicine concluded
that of all such behaviors, "TV watching
has the highest risk for obesity and diabetes."
Their study of more than 50,000 women between
1992-1998 (a separate study was also conducted
focusing solely on diabetes) found that women
who spent more time watching TV "were more
likely to smoke and drink alcohol and less likely
to exercise." These women also had higher
intakes of total and saturated fats, red and processed
meats, and snacks.
The doctors also gave familiar advice on fighting
the extra pounds and avoiding potentially life-threatening
medical conditions. "Even light activities
such as standing or walking around at home (which
probably reflects household work) and brisk walking
were associated with a significantly lower risk
of obesity and diabetes," the report said.
"Our study suggests that 30% of obesity cases
and 43% of type 2 diabetes cases can be potentially
prevented by following a relatively active lifestyle,"
which they defined as less than ten hours per
week of TV-watching and at least thirty minutes
of brisk walking each day.
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