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TV channels and streaming apps like Netflix have seen their viewing numbers soar during the blockade
Restricting television viewing to two hours a day could prevent or delay poor health, according to a new study.
The health risks associated with screen time, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, were lower when daily television time was two hours or less.
The University of Glasgow study followed nearly 500,000 participants ages 37 to 73 over a 12-year period between 2006 and 2018.
The researchers said the findings mean that adults should minimize exposure.
If all participants limited television time to two hours a day, potentially 5.62% of all deaths and 7.97% of cardiovascular disease deaths could have been avoided or delayed.
It was not only the traditional television screen that was included in the study, videos were also seen on a mobile phone.
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Current UK physical activity guidelines encourage 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week
Dr. Hamish Foster of the University of Glasgow Institute for Health and Well-being led the study.
He said the latest research supported current evidence that watching too much television, and living a sedentary lifestyle in general, could lead to poor health.
“Our study suggests that limiting television time could delay or prevent a host of health problems,” said Dr. Foster.
“However, there is still a lot of work to be done before we can make firm TV time recommendations.”
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“More research is needed to understand all of these factors and inform future advice and guidelines.”
He added that unhealthy snacks and low socioeconomic status are linked to both television time and poor health.
The researchers also looked at the potential benefits of replacing TV time with healthier activities like walking.
They found that the people who would benefit the most from replacing longer periods on a screen with more time exercising are those who only spend very small amounts of their day doing those healthier activities.
