A heightened risk for death from cancer wasn't statistically significant, but the other findings held up even after adjusting not only for exercise, but for such risk factors as age, gender and waist circumference.
Australian researchers who tracked 8,800 people for an average of six years found that those who said they watched TV for more than four hours a day were 46% more likely to die of any cause and 80% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than people who reported spending less than two hours a day in front of the tube.
a specialist in cardiology; a specialist in the structure and function and disorders of the heart
"Just standing is better than sitting," says Gerard Fletcher, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla., who works standing up at his computer.
animal tissue consisting predominantly of contractile cells
"It's the incidental moving around, walking around, standing up and utilizing muscles that [doesn't happen] when we're plunked on a couch in front of a television."
Dr. Hamilton of the Pennington research center cautions that such population-based studies can only show correlations, but his own study of what happens when people and animals become inactive offers support for the connections.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
One of the most surprising findings is that it isn't just couch potatoes who were affected—even for people who exercised regularly, the risk of death went up the longer they were in front of the TV. The problem was the prolonged periods of time spent sitting still.
The results are supported by an emerging field of research that shows how prolonged periods of inactivity can affect the body's processing of fats and other substances that contribute to heart risk.
Simple strategies for increasing activity include incorporating household chores such as folding laundry into TV-watching time or getting up to change a TV channel rather than using a remote control.
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
"It's the incidental moving around, walking around, standing up and utilizing muscles that [doesn't happen] when we're plunked on a couch in front of a television."
an intermediate scale value regarded as normal or usual
Australian researchers who tracked 8,800 people for an average of six years found that those who said they watched TV for more than four hours a day were 46% more likely to die of any cause and 80% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than people who reported spending less than two hours a day in front of the tube.
a machine for performing calculations automatically
Time spent in front of TVs and computers and videogames has come under fire in studies in recent years for contributing to an epidemic of obesity in the U.S. and around the world.
preparing or putting through a prescribed procedure
The results are supported by an emerging field of research that shows how prolonged periods of inactivity can affect the body's processing of fats and other substances that contribute to heart risk.
The report, being published Tuesday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, focuses on TV watching in part because it is the predominant leisure-time activity in many countries, researchers said, especially in the U.S. A study by ratings firm Nielsen Co. found that Americans averaged 151 hours of TV viewing a month in the fourth quarter of 2008—more than five hours a day.
a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee
Simple strategies for increasing activity include incorporating household chores such as folding laundry into TV-watching time or getting up to change a TV channel rather than using a remote control.
Instead of fat being transported to muscle tissue where it is burned as fuel, fat accumulates in the blood stream, where over time it can damage arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease.
Time spent in front of TVs and computers and videogames has come under fire in studies in recent years for contributing to an epidemic of obesity in the U.S. and around the world.
(sometimes followed by `to') minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence
"It's the incidental moving around, walking around, standing up and utilizing muscles that [doesn't happen] when we're plunked on a couch in front of a television."
the properties that distinguish organisms on the basis of their reproductive roles
A heightened risk for death from cancer wasn't statistically significant, but the other findings held up even after adjusting not only for exercise, but for such risk factors as age, gender and waist circumference.
tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
Time spent in front of TVs and computers and videogames has come under fire in studies in recent years for contributing to an epidemic of obesity in the U.S. and around the world.
One of the most surprising findings is that it isn't just couch potatoes who were affected—even for people who exercised regularly, the risk of death went up the longer they were in front of the TV. The problem was the prolonged periods of time spent sitting still.
a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
The results are supported by an emerging field of research that shows how prolonged periods of inactivity can affect the body's processing of fats and other substances that contribute to heart risk.
a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time
Time spent in front of TVs and computers and videogames has come under fire in studies in recent years for contributing to an epidemic of obesity in the U.S. and around the world.
something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied)
"The implication of these findings is that the extraordinary amount of sitting can undo the good effects that we know are a benefit when we get regular exercise," Dr. Dunstan says.
The results are supported by an emerging field of research that shows how prolonged periods of inactivity can affect the body's processing of fats and other substances that contribute to heart risk.
But typically the resulting public-health message urges children and adults to put down the Xbox controller and remote and get on a treadmill or a soccer field.
move something or somebody around; usually over long distances
Instead of fat being transported to muscle tissue where it is burned as fuel, fat accumulates in the blood stream, where over time it can damage arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease.
connected by a link, as railway cars or trailer trucks
Indeed, a recent Canadian study, for instance, linked increasing time spent sitting down for any reason to higher risk of death from heart-related reasons and from any cause.
The results are supported by an emerging field of research that shows how prolonged periods of inactivity can affect the body's processing of fats and other substances that contribute to heart risk.
None of this diminishes the importance of the benefits derived from breaking a sweat and getting your heart rate up during regular vigorous physical activity, he says.
A limitation of the study is that information on TV watching time and exercise was obtained at enrollment and not otherwise verified or checked during the remainder of the study, but researchers said the findings are consistent with other research.
One of the most surprising findings is that it isn't just couch potatoes who were affected—even for people who exercised regularly, the risk of death went up the longer they were in front of the TV. The problem was the prolonged periods of time spent sitting still.
alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
A heightened risk for death from cancer wasn't statistically significant, but the other findings held up even after adjusting not only for exercise, but for such risk factors as age, gender and waist circumference.
of the immediate past or just previous to the present time
Time spent in front of TVs and computers and videogames has come under fire in studies in recent years for contributing to an epidemic of obesity in the U.S. and around the world.
None of this diminishes the importance of the benefits derived from breaking a sweat and getting your heart rate up during regular vigorous physical activity, he says.
Adding Routine Movement
Keeping such processes working more effectively doesn't require constant intense exercise, but consciously adding more routine movement to your life might help, doctors say.
"If you're not up on your feet moving around, you're sedentary," says Marc Hamilton, a scientist at Pennnington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, La., who studies the biology of inactivity and who wasn't involved with the Australian study.
Simple strategies for increasing activity include incorporating household chores such as folding laundry into TV-watching time or getting up to change a TV channel rather than using a remote control.
But typically the resulting public-health message urges children and adults to put down the Xbox controller and remote and get on a treadmill or a soccer field.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
"If you're not up on your feet moving around, you're sedentary," says Marc Hamilton, a scientist at Pennnington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, La., who studies the biology of inactivity and who wasn't involved with the Australian study.
One of the most surprising findings is that it isn't just couch potatoes who were affected—even for people who exercised regularly, the risk of death went up the longer they were in front of the TV. The problem was the prolonged periods of time spent sitting still.
The report, being published Tuesday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, focuses on TV watching in part because it is the predominant leisure-time activity in many countries, researchers said, especially in the U.S. A study by ratings firm Nielsen Co. found that Americans averaged 151 hours of TV viewing a month in the fourth quarter of 2008—more than five hours a day.
But typically the resulting public-health message urges children and adults to put down the Xbox controller and remote and get on a treadmill or a soccer field.
the concentration of attention or energy on something
The report, being published Tuesday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, focuses on TV watching in part because it is the predominant leisure-time activity in many countries, researchers said, especially in the U.S. A study by ratings firm Nielsen Co. found that Americans averaged 151 hours of TV viewing a month in the fourth quarter of 2008—more than five hours a day.
Dr. Hamilton of the Pennington research center cautions that such population-based studies can only show correlations, but his own study of what happens when people and animals become inactive offers support for the connections.
Australian researchers who tracked 8,800 people for an average of six years found that those who said they watched TV for more than four hours a day were 46% more likely to die of any cause and 80% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than people who reported spending less than two hours a day in front of the tube.
None of this diminishes the importance of the benefits derived from breaking a sweat and getting your heart rate up during regular vigorous physical activity, he says.
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
None of this diminishes the importance of the benefits derived from breaking a sweat and getting your heart rate up during regular vigorous physical activity, he says.
A heightened risk for death from cancer wasn't statistically significant, but the other findings held up even after adjusting not only for exercise, but for such risk factors as age, gender and waist circumference.
"It's not the sweaty type of exercise we're losing," says David Dunstan, a researcher at Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, who led the study.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
Indeed, a recent Canadian study, for instance, linked increasing time spent sitting down for any reason to higher risk of death from heart-related reasons and from any cause.
A heightened risk for death from cancer wasn't statistically significant, but the other findings held up even after adjusting not only for exercise, but for such risk factors as age, gender and waist circumference.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
Instead of fat being transported to muscle tissue where it is burned as fuel, fat accumulates in the blood stream, where over time it can damage arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease.
formed or developed from something else; not original
None of this diminishes the importance of the benefits derived from breaking a sweat and getting your heart rate up during regular vigorous physical activity, he says.
a substance that can be consumed to produce energy
Instead of fat being transported to muscle tissue where it is burned as fuel, fat accumulates in the blood stream, where over time it can damage arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease.
Instead of fat being transported to muscle tissue where it is burned as fuel, fat accumulates in the blood stream, where over time it can damage arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
Adding Routine Movement
Keeping such processes working more effectively doesn't require constant intense exercise, but consciously adding more routine movement to your life might help, doctors say.
One of the most surprising findings is that it isn't just couch potatoes who were affected—even for people who exercised regularly, the risk of death went up the longer they were in front of the TV. The problem was the prolonged periods of time spent sitting still.
a deep and relatively narrow body of water (as in a river or a harbor or a strait linking two larger bodies) that allows the best passage for vessels
Simple strategies for increasing activity include incorporating household chores such as folding laundry into TV-watching time or getting up to change a TV channel rather than using a remote control.
"If you're not up on your feet moving around, you're sedentary," says Marc Hamilton, a scientist at Pennnington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, La., who studies the biology of inactivity and who wasn't involved with the Australian study.
a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
The report, being published Tuesday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, focuses on TV watching in part because it is the predominant leisure-time activity in many countries, researchers said, especially in the U.S. A study by ratings firm Nielsen Co. found that Americans averaged 151 hours of TV viewing a month in the fourth quarter of 2008—more than five hours a day.
The results are supported by an emerging field of research that shows how prolonged periods of inactivity can affect the body's processing of fats and other substances that contribute to heart risk.
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
Adding Routine Movement
Keeping such processes working more effectively doesn't require constant intense exercise, but consciously adding more routine movement to your life might help, doctors say.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
"The implication of these findings is that the extraordinary amount of sitting can undo the good effects that we know are a benefit when we get regular exercise," Dr. Dunstan says.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
None of this diminishes the importance of the benefits derived from breaking a sweat and getting your heart rate up during regular vigorous physical activity, he says.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
Australian researchers who tracked 8,800 people for an average of six years found that those who said they watched TV for more than four hours a day were 46% more likely to die of any cause and 80% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than people who reported spending less than two hours a day in front of the tube.
The report, being published Tuesday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, focuses on TV watching in part because it is the predominant leisure-time activity in many countries, researchers said, especially in the U.S. A study by ratings firm Nielsen Co. found that Americans averaged 151 hours of TV viewing a month in the fourth quarter of 2008—more than five hours a day.
Dr. Hamilton of the Pennington research center cautions that such population-based studies can only show correlations, but his own study of what happens when people and animals become inactive offers support for the connections.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
But typically the resulting public-health message urges children and adults to put down the Xbox controller and remote and get on a treadmill or a soccer field.
One of the most surprising findings is that it isn't just couch potatoes who were affected—even for people who exercised regularly, the risk of death went up the longer they were in front of the TV. The problem was the prolonged periods of time spent sitting still.
a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
Dr. Hamilton says studies suggest that after just one day of inactivity, levels of HDL, or good cholesterol, which helps transport LDL or bad cholesterol out of the blood stream, can fall by as much as 20%.
The report, being published Tuesday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, focuses on TV watching in part because it is the predominant leisure-time activity in many countries, researchers said, especially in the U.S. A study by ratings firm Nielsen Co. found that Americans averaged 151 hours of TV viewing a month in the fourth quarter of 2008—more than five hours a day.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
Simple strategies for increasing activity include incorporating household chores such as folding laundry into TV-watching time or getting up to change a TV channel rather than using a remote control.
A limitation of the study is that information on TV watching time and exercise was obtained at enrollment and not otherwise verified or checked during the remainder of the study, but researchers said the findings are consistent with other research.
a quantity or amount or measure considered as a proportion of another quantity or amount or measure
None of this diminishes the importance of the benefits derived from breaking a sweat and getting your heart rate up during regular vigorous physical activity, he says.
Australian researchers who tracked 8,800 people for an average of six years found that those who said they watched TV for more than four hours a day were 46% more likely to die of any cause and 80% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than people who reported spending less than two hours a day in front of the tube.
But Dr. Dunstan says the results also likely apply to such sedentary activities as sitting in front of a computer, reading a book, driving or taking the train to work.
Instead of fat being transported to muscle tissue where it is burned as fuel, fat accumulates in the blood stream, where over time it can damage arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease.
sedentary
