Top 10 Health Risks of Watching Too Much TV You Should Be Aware Of

According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, research from Harvard University has concluded that men with sedentary lifestyles, especially those who watch TV for extended periods, have a significantly lower sperm count—up to 44% less—compared to men who watch less TV.

TV viewing time exceeding 20 hours a week is considered the threshold for reduced sperm count. On the other hand, men who engage in at least 14 hours of exercise per week have the highest sperm counts. It's worth noting that sperm quality—meaning motility and shape—remains unaffected.

A study of over 1,500 individuals who underwent colon cancer treatment concluded that those who watched more TV prior to their diagnosis were more likely to die within five years compared to those who watched TV for an average amount of time.

A study conducted by the U.S. National Cancer Institute examined over 566,000 people and revealed a strong correlation between TV watching, physical activity, and patient survival rates. However, the study did not establish a direct causal relationship. Nonetheless, the study concluded that engaging in physical activity is always beneficial compared to leading a sedentary lifestyle.

A joint study between MassGeneral Hospital and Harvard Medical School for Children aimed to examine the effects of various factors during pregnancy and early childhood. The study analyzed criteria such as how much time an infant spends in a room with the TV on, how much TV older children watch, and whether a child can sleep in a room with a TV. The results showed that every hour of TV viewing led to a 7-minute decrease in sleep time, and having a TV in the bedroom reduced sleep by 30 minutes—with a stronger effect on boys than girls.

A similar study in Spain revealed that a 9-year-old child who watches at least 5 hours of TV a day sleeps 1 hour less compared to a 9-year-old child who watches no more than 1.5 hours daily.

Two studies have shown that the more time babies spend watching TV, the slower they are in learning to speak. Another study conducted by the Seattle Children's Research Institute tracked over 300 children, equipping them with audio recorders worn for 12 to 16 hours. The results found that each hour of TV viewing significantly reduced the number of words the children heard (by 770 words during one recording session).

Similar studies also concluded that children learn better from face-to-face conversations. When a Chinese speaker was introduced to an American 9-month-old, the baby could distinguish the differences in sounds after just 12 sessions. However, when the baby was placed in front of a TV showing a Chinese audio recording, the baby showed no ability to differentiate any sounds.

A research team from the Netherlands and Canada studied 80 young men, aged 18-29, and placed them in different groups to monitor their TV viewing habits alongside alcohol consumption. The study found that individuals who consumed more than 1.5 bottles of beer or alcohol while watching movies or ads were more likely to experience alcohol-related issues compared to those who didn’t.

However, the researchers acknowledged that they didn’t find any long-term evidence of behavior changes in alcohol consumption as a result of watching TV. Yet, the short-term effects were undeniable.

When watching TV, our eyes constantly adjust to focus, which can eventually lead to a decline in vision. Those who watch TV regularly and spend more time in front of screens have a higher risk of eye conditions like astigmatism and nearsightedness compared to those who don't.

Additionally, prolonged TV watching can cause eye strain and discomfort, especially if sitting too close to the screen. Constant focus without proper eye adjustment leads to dryness, eye socket pain, and headaches.

To avoid this, remember to blink frequently, look around the room, and focus on distant objects every 30 minutes to relieve eye strain.

A common side effect of excessive TV watching is obesity. A 2003 study that tracked over 50,000 middle-aged women for 6 years revealed that for every 2 hours spent watching TV daily, their risk of obesity increased by 23%. Moreover, children who watch too much TV are also more likely to develop obesity in adulthood and middle age.

To combat this, it is recommended not to place the TV in the bedroom, take breaks every 30 minutes to stand up and stretch, avoid sitting still for extended periods, and refrain from snacking on high-calorie foods and drinks while watching TV.

A 1990 study at the University of California, Irvine, investigated whether TV watching or video games affected cholesterol levels in children. The results were startling: Children who watched more TV showed increased cholesterol levels; those who spent over 4 hours a day in front of the screen were at a significantly higher risk of heart disease later in life.

Other studies have shown that children who watch excessive TV tend to have poor eating habits, with very few of them following a healthy diet.

In 1960, Professor Rowel Huesmann started a study to examine how media violence affects children. Ten years later, Huesmann and his team discovered a clear connection between media violence and real-life aggression. They found that children exposed to more media content, particularly TV, were more likely to exhibit violent behavior compared to those with less exposure.

While some may argue that media is not as dangerous as smoking or lung cancer, the evidence remains strong. Not every smoker develops cancer, just as not all children who watch violent media become violent, but it certainly contributes to the risk.

A study from Johns Hopkins University by Dina Borzekowski found that children who watch more than 2 hours of television daily, especially those with a TV in their private rooms, tend to score lower on standardized tests compared to their peers. (The study also found that having access to a computer with Internet significantly boosted scores).

Additionally, a study from New Zealand showed that children and teens who watched the most TV tended to retain less academic knowledge. Around 1,000 children were randomly selected and followed until they turned 26. The results indicated that those who watched less television had a higher chance of graduating from both high school and college.