The more television you watch the more likely you are to die from any cause, study claims

Researchers found the increased risk begins for those who watch 3-4 hours of television a day

The study found individuals who watched more than seven hours of TV a day were 47 per cent more likely to die (Craig Sunter/Flickr)

The more television you watch, the more likely you are to die from “any cause” a study has suggested.

New research from the National Cancer Institute in the US and published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found an association between large periods of time spent watching television and an increased risk of death from eight of the major causes of death in the United States, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

The study analysed more than 221,000 people between the ages of 50 and 71-years-old. All participants were free from chronic illness when the study begun; the study reportedly controlled other factors such as smoking, caloric intake and alcohol.

Researchers found that those who watched 3-4 hours of TV per day were 15 per cent more likely to die from any cause than those who watched one hour per day.

Individuals who spent more than 7 hours per day watching television were 47 per cent more likely to die.

Researchers believe the risk begins to increase for those who watch 3-4 hours per day.

Dr Sarah Keadle of the National Cancer Institute said: “Our results fit within a growing body of research indicating that too much sitting can have many different adverse health effects.”

“Given the increasing age of the population, the high prevalence of TV viewing in leisure time, and the broad range of mortality outcomes for which risk appears to be increased, prolonged TV viewing may be an important target for public health intervention than previously recognised.”

The study also measured active participants against inactive participants who watch an extensive amount of television and found the effects and risks were relevant to both groups, despite exercise level.

Dr Keadle said: “Although we found that exercise did not fully eliminate risks associated with prolonged television viewing, certainly for those who want to reduce their sedentary television viewing, exercise should be the first choice to replace that previously inactive time.”