Why Eating In Front of the Television is Hazardous
By Sara Butler
It can be difficult to tear yourself away from that episode of “Game of Thrones” and have dinner, but you really need to try to do it – for your health. It's what hte DVR is for, right? Research from the National Institutes of Health has revealed that eating while distracted (as in watching television) will cause people to actually eat more than they would if they weren’t distracted while eating. Here are the ways that your health is impacted by eating in front of the television and how you can break the habit.
It's Bad For Kids
Children are probably at the highest risk of health problems from eating in front of the television. This habit leads to higher incidences of obesity because it makes a child more likely to eat sugar and fat – food groups with a higher concentration of calories.
It also makes children less aware of when they’re actually full. Being distracted by Sponge Bob as they eat can cause them to consume about 25 percent more than they would otherwise. Plus, a lot of time in front of the television leads to inactivity – another factor that contributes to obesity.
Computers Aren’t Safe Either
As far as distraction goes, eating in front of a computer is no different than eating in front of the television. Combine overeating with poor posture, eye fatigue, and inactivity, and you’re just asking for a health crisis! So don’t eat lunch at your computer – go outside and enjoy nature!
What You Can Do
You need to aim for less time in front of the television and computer on the whole. But if you can eliminate your meals in front of the boob tube most days of the week, then it should make a difference in your health.
When you are trapped inside, such as at work, make sure to set a timer to remind you to get up and walk around at least once an hour. It doesn’t matter where to, just as long as you get up and get moving out of the posture you’ve been sitting in for a while.
When it comes to meals, gather the family around the dinner table and eat your meals in the morning and evenings if you can. It’s a great time to be together to connect as well as getting out of the habit of eating in front of the television.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Rowlett, Tex.