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Television viewing time and reduced life expectancy: a life table analysis
J Lennert Veerman1, Genevieve N Healy, Linda J Cobiac
1Centre for Burden of Disease and Cost-Effectiveness, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia. l.veerman@uq.edu.au
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|September 26, 2012
Summary
Prolonged television (TV) viewing significantly reduces life expectancy in Australia. Each hour of TV watched after age 25 may decrease lifespan by over 20 minutes, comparable to risks from inactivity and obesity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Longevity Studies
Background:
- Extensive television (TV) viewing is linked to increased mortality, especially from cardiovascular disease.
- The specific impact of TV viewing time on overall life expectancy remains unquantified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the reduction in life expectancy attributable to TV viewing time in Australia in 2008.
Main Methods:
- A life table model was developed, incorporating known mortality risks associated with TV viewing.
- Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study were utilized.
- Population-level impacts of average TV viewing time on life expectancy at birth were modeled.
Main Results:
- TV viewing in 2008 reduced life expectancy at birth by 1.8 years for men and 1.5 years for women.
- Individuals watching 6 hours of TV daily could expect to live 4.8 years less than non-viewers.
- Each hour of TV watched after age 25 was associated with a reduction of approximately 21.8 minutes in life expectancy.
Conclusions:
- TV viewing time represents a significant risk factor for reduced lifespan.
- The impact of TV viewing on life expectancy is comparable to other major chronic disease risk factors like physical inactivity and obesity.
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