TV and Obesity
Trying to break poor patterns of eating is difficult. One of the most difficult is our societal habit of eating while watching TV or in front of the computer. This leads to "mindless” excess caloric intake. I thought this scientific review might help people re-consider this habit and try to change.
I was reviewing the journal ‘Obesity Management,' and was interested in the Question and Answer section.
One physician asked the expert (Dr. Nanette Stroebele of the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine), "What can I tell my overweight patients about the possible impact of television viewing and their eating behaviour?”
Her response was this: "The more research is conducted in the field of overweight/obesity and its influencing factors, the clearer it becomes that environment plays a crucial role in daily eating and exercise behaviour. When it comes to television viewing habits, there are numerous studies (Hu et al., 2003; Jeffrey and French, 1998) that support the notion that television viewing is associated with an increase in food intake. Television viewing is the third most time-consuming activity in the United States, after work and sleep (Dietz, 1990). The time spent watching television appears to be positively associated with the risk of obesity and diabetes, especially in women. Also, between-meal snacking seems to increase while viewing television (Del Toro and Greenberg, 1989; Stroebele and de Castro, 2004).”
"It is important to understand our everyday behaviour in figure out strategies for successful weigh management. Most people either already eat dinner with the television on, or turn it on after dinner. Small changes in the way a person watches might be possible and maintainable. One suggestion would be to choose a show that is interesting and then turn the television off before the person begins to surf through channels. Surfing is the first indicator that another activity might be less boring and productive than television viewing.”
"Stay busy, either only during commercials or during the entire show. Making lunches, folding clothes, anything that will keep us from walking into the kitchen, may help.”
The association with ‘screen' time (T.V. and computer) and overweight is well proven. We must make a conscious decision not to snack during this time. The eating is mindless, and we are totally unaware of the calories consumed, and worst, have no awareness to any sense of fullness.
In order to start changing our behaviours, we must first be aware of how these behaviours are impeding our progress. If you know you're a person who tends to eat meals or snacks in front of the TV or computer, perhaps you could try having your snack or meal at the kitchen table instead. Once you dissociate eating & ‘screen' time, watching TV (or computer) won't cause you to crave certain foods or become "head hungry.”
Start small! Write down your goal for the week. See if you can accomplish this goal even 2 out of 7 days. Build upon it. This is a journey; a work in progress. We must realize that the end result is worth all the building blocks we put together along the way. No matter what life throws at you, never give up on yourself! You ARE worth the effort and you CAN do this!
Dr. Doug