Have you ever thought about the negative effects of seniors watching too much TV? One of the most dangerous aspects of watching TV stems from what you’re doing while watching it: sitting. The problem is that when people watch TV they aren’t moving.
Close to 30 percent of study participants had developed difficulty walking or were unable to walk at all at the end of the study, which ran nearly 10 years. Sitting for long periods of time is dangerous to everyone’s health, especially for seniors.
Learn more about the risks of prolonged sitting and watching too much TV.
How can sitting be harmful for us?
We often think that our bodies love to sit, but the human body is meant to move. Sitting for long periods of time increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, premature death, and obesity. Seniors who watch more than five hours of TV every day and have less than three hours of physical activity per week, have a higher risk of being unable to walk or have difficulty walking.
“TV viewing is a very potent risk factor for disability in older age,” Dr. DiPietro said on National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. “Sitting and watching TV for long periods—especially in the evening—has got to be one of the most dangerous things that older people can do because they are much more susceptible to the damages of physical inactivity.”
How to Help
Due to the ageing population, researchers advise a broader array of public health programs to help elderly people engage in any physical activity of any level and avoid being completely sedentary.
- One of the simplest health tips is to watch a little less TV.
- If your senior loved ones enjoy watching TV for a long period of time, encourage them to do so while walking on a treadmill or stepping in place.
- Find an exciting activity or new hobby such as gardening, volunteering, cooking classes etc.
- Hire a caregiver to offer companionship to keep your loved one safe in the comfort of their home, enhancing quality of life and preserving independence.
Watching too much TV is often due to boredom. Participating in activities regularly can give seniors a busy and wonderful life. Seniors should walk around as much as possible throughout the day. The healthy recommended amount to aim for when watching TV is between 1-3 hours. Watching TV for longer than what is recommended can put seniors at risk for negative consequences. Please be supportive and encouraging when speaking about reducing TV and sitting time daily.
To DiPietro, Chair of the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health, the solution is clear: “Our findings suggest that older people who want to remain fit must ramp up their daily physical activity and reduce the amount of time they spend sitting.”
Superior Home Care Service has the compassion and experience that is needed for comprehensive home care. We understand what you need and deliver highly personalized care to make life easier for seniors and their families. To learn more about what services we provide, feel free to contact us!
