Excessive TV raises health risk

Warning: Too much TV can be bad for your heart

NUS researchers have found that spending more time in front of the goggle box can raise the chances of subclinical atherosclerosis, an indicator of heart disease. Led by Associate Professor Tai E Shyong from the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and NUS Medicine, the study was conducted on some 400 Chinese Singaporeans aged 50 years and above. It showed that longer TV viewing time resulted in higher body fat mass, as well as subcutaneous and visceral fat in men. Such a body composition can increase the risk of coronary heart issues.

The research, however, did not demonstrate such conclusive associations in women. It also noted that moderate exercise does not mitigate the adverse health effects linked to TV viewing.

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