Screen Time and Your Health
Check out the latest on the relationship between tv, computer, video games, and your health.
posted by Registered Dietitian @ 6:31 PM
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Health Challenge 2007
Welcome to Nutrition Challenge 2007! This is a fun, interactive 10 week challenge designed by Registered Dietitians to help you improve your eating and exercise habits with a group of people!!! There will be weekly challenges and games to keep the competition interesting!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
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- Week 9 Challenge
- Week 7 Results
- Week 8's Challenge!
- Health Benefits of Whole Grains
- Week 6 Results!
- Week 7 Challenge
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- Health Benefits of Water
- Week 5 Results
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Over the past 20 to 30 years, television, computer, and video game use has risen drastically, and so has overweight and obesity. It is certainly no coincidence that this is the case. There are many factors related to "screen time" that may increase the risk for obesity, and thus related health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
One factor is that screen time generally is a sedentary activity, done sitting or laying down, which slows down the metabolic rate and doesn't result in any calories being expended and often leads to overweight or obesity.
Another factor is excess calories are often consumed during screen time. Those who watch TV usually snack while doing so, and many of the snacks are high in calories, fat and sodium. Also, viewing of television ads for food sometimes increases cravings for that food, causing you to want to eat it, even if you weren't even thinking of food beforehand.
The final factor is what screen time is replacing. When we spend our free time on the computer or watching television, that is time we are not spending doing physical activity. With the limited free time Americans usually have in their day, what they do with their free time is increasingly important. Screen time simply uses time that could be used walking, biking, playing with the kids, etc.
There are certainly ways to get your daily dose of "screen time" without hindering your physical activity too much. Many gyms have televisions you can watch while you're working out, and with the latest technology you can check out your favorite tv shows online or TIVO them and not have to sit though any commercials, shortening the amount of time you spend sitting and watching. You also could add physical activity during commercial breaks or get up and move for every 10-15 minutes of TV, movie, computer, or video game use.
With all the ways screen time can negatively impact your health, it is important to evaluate your own habits and find where you are able to cut out screen time. Each person has a unique lifestyle, and with a little thought, there are ways to make it all balance out.
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