Does TV Rot Your Brain?

ThereÂ’s
an old adage that says TV rots your brain. While this may not be
literally true, there are ways it can contribute to the spoiling
of your health. A newly published meta-study carried out by researchers
at Loughborough UniversityÂ’s School of Sport, Exercise and
Health (SSEHS), in England, has underscored potential health hazards
of spending too much time in front of the tube.

Data was collected
from 53 separate international studies which focused on sedentary
behavior as it relates to dietary and television viewing habits.
A strong association was found between watching large amounts of
television and increased intake of nutritionally poor foods such
as high-calorie snacks, fast
food, and soda.
A reduction in fruit and vegetable consumption among avid TV viewers
was also identified.

Dual Action

According to
Dr. Natalie Biddle, lead author of the investigation, the negative
influence television has may stem from some combination of interrelated
factors. Constant bombardment of commercial
advertisements during segment breaks and even within actual
programming can encourage unhealthy food-related decisions. When
this influence is combined with regular exposure to short bursts
of highly targeted audio and visual stimulation, it has a very real
effect on the viewerÂ’s attention
span and can impact their ability to make informed decisions
properly.

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February
1, 2012