The TV Diet

Scientists have found a new solution for people who want to lose weight. When old problems aren’t solved, they require new solutions – this is where the TV diet comes in.

If burning more calories means turning off your TV, then do it. Adults who watch less TV and eat the same amount of food like those who watch TV most of their free time, expend more energy, says a new study.

The average time spent in front of the TV is about five hours per day. The authors of the study have realized weight loss programs were adjusted to food and exercise; they’ve found new adjusted strategies that would reduce sedentary behaviors. According to LiveScience, reducing the time spent in front of TV allows people to be more active and reduces chronic sleep deprivation, which may lead to obesity.

The study included more than 36 adults with the BMI between 25-50 (when the BMI is over 30 the person is considered obese). They discovered that on a long-term observation, people who watch less TV burn more calories, but on short-term there are no big differences than those who didn’t change their behavior to be more active.

Small changes in living habits may help in decreasing obesity rate. Reducing the time spent in front the TV doesn’t help only in burning more calories; previous studies have shown TV can make people unhappy and slow learners.

Jennifer Otten, the lead author of the study, noted that reducing TV viewing by half is equal to 120 calories which can be burned if you walk more than a mile. Before you turn your TV on, think what’s more important for you – your health or TV shows?