Excessive television viewing causes obesity

Many Americans seem to love to watch the boob tube.

In fact, the United States is more devoted to watching TV than one may think. According to the A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American watches television for more than four hours per day. That is the same as about two months of non-stop television viewing per year.

According to Nielsen's statistics, an average 65 year-old will have spent nine years of their lives watching TV.

This abundance of television in people's lives is not only time-consuming, but may be hazardous. According to the American Journal of Public Health, one-third of American adults today are overweight, and an adult who watches three hours of television per day, is more likely to be obese than an adult who watches less than one hour.

However, this is not the only weight issue related to television. Many commercials, sitcoms, dramas and other television programs bombard female viewers with thin, beautiful women.

According to research done by the TV Turnoff Network, the models and actresses seen on television are, on average, 23 percent thinner than the average American woman. They are also thinner than 95 percent of the women in America.

TTN also found that 75 percent of American women think they are too overweight, a line of thinking that can lead to bulimia or anorexia and is fueled by the images seen everyday on television.

Research conducted by The Green Mountain Waldorf School also found that television damages creativity, imagination and linear cognitive development.

With the threat of image problems, lack of creativity and, perhaps the most serious threat, obesity, spending four hours a day watching television does not seem wise. However, it is quite simple to change this behavior into something good.

Dr. William Dietz, the Director of the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity at the Centers for Disease Control, said, "The easiest way to reduce inactivity is to turn off the TV set. Almost anything else uses more energy than watching TV."

This simple idea of turning off the television set and using the extra time for something more productive is the backbone of the non-profit organization TV Turnoff Network.

TTN promotes an annual TV-Turnoff Week in the spring, April 19 through 25 this year, which is endorsed by more than 65 national organizations form the American Medical Association to the National Education Association.

According to TTN's statistics, millions of people, not only in America, but worldwide, have participated in TV-Turnoff Week since it began in 1995.

But why wait until a specified week to do something good for the body now?

Instead of watching music videos on television, grab some headphones and listen to the radio while going for a run, jog or even simply a leisurely stroll in a park. The exercise is more beneficial than snacking in front of the tube and is a change of scenery from one's view from the couch.

Rather than watching the countless home-improvement and do-it-yourself shows like Trading Spaces or just about any show on HGTV, finally get around to fixing that leaky faucet in the kitchen or re-decorate the house while using the show's tips.

Boost creativity possibly lost from watching too much television by instead taking the time to paint, draw, write or even just read a good book.

Find some inspiration for the work by paying a visit to a local art or history museum. It would not only be an educational trip, but would also include some exercise from walking.

As Dietz said, almost anything is better than watching television.

So start watching less television now, and when TV-Turnoff Week arrives in April, try giving it up completely for a week.

One may find that not watching television is more exciting than watching that newest episode of Survivor, or at the very least, better for their mind and body.