Drop Calories by Cutting TV Time

Research suggests that turning off the TV may help adults lose weight and prevent weight gain.

Jennifer J. Otten, Ph.D., R.D., and colleagues monitored 36 adults who had a body mass index between 25 and 50 and reported watching at least three hours of TV per day. After an initial three-week observation period, 20 of the participants were given an electronic device that automatically shut off their TV sets once they reached a weekly limit equaling 50% of their previously measured TV viewing time. Participants in this group were also given an armband that would measure their physical activity. The remaining 16 participants were not given any device or regulations on TV time.

The study showed that participants who watched 50% less TV burned 119 more calories per day once the TV went off. The control group actually burned 95 fewer calories per day during the intervention portion of the study than they did during the first three weeks.

Researchers noted that, "It has been estimated that combined increases in energy expenditure and decreases in energy intake equaling only 100 calories per day could prevent the gradual weight gain observed in most of the population." With the average adult watching almost five hours of  TV every day, further research into the effects of limiting TV time may be beneficial in helping address the obesity epidemic.

Added on 05/27/2010

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