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Toilet reading habits in Israeli adults
O Goldstein1, Y Shaham, T Naftali
1Department of Gastroenterology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel.
Neurogastroenterology and Motility
|November 21, 2008
Summary
Toilet reading (TR) is a common habit, with over half of adults engaging in it. While TR is associated with longer toilet times, it does not significantly impact stool habits, constipation, or hemorrhoids.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Public Health
Background:
- Toilet reading (TR) is a prevalent habit, yet its effects on defecation are under-researched.
- Existing medical literature largely overlooks the implications of reading or playing on the toilet.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of toilet reading in the Israeli adult population.
- To investigate the association between toilet reading habits and general bowel function, constipation, and hemorrhoids.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 500 adults from diverse demographic backgrounds.
- Data collected included demographics, toilet reading/playing habits, bowel habits, hemorrhoid status, and use of fecal softeners.
Main Results:
- Toilet reading is common, practiced by 52.7% of the surveyed population.
- TR is more prevalent among males, younger individuals, the secular population, those with higher education, and white-collar workers.
- While TR participants spent more time in the toilet, no significant differences were observed in stool type or frequency. The TR group reported slightly less constipation and more hemorrhoids, though these differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Toilet reading is a widespread and generally benign habit.
- The practice is linked to extended toilet duration but does not appear to influence bowel regularity or specific conditions like constipation or hemorrhoids.
- The habit seems primarily for leisure rather than addressing medical issues.
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