More than 60 percent of kids who watched more than two hours of television a day had a cholesterol level of 200 milligrams per deciliter or higher. Another 13 percent had levels between 176 and 199. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers a cholesterol level more than 175 in children over 2 years of age high enough to warrant dietary therapy. Watching four or more hours of television a day was associated with a fourfold greater risk of high cholesterol.
The effects of TV on cholesterol should be fairly obvious. People who watch a lot of TV tend to nibble while they watch, and the foods kids eat in front of the set often are high in calories and fat, researchers say. Also, TV-watching is not just sedentary but it discourages further activity. If you’re in front of the TV a lot you're spend a great deal of energy processing television images, and that leaves you too tired for healthy physical activity.
Here are a few healthy exercise suggestions to help get you away from the TV.
- Start a walking exercise program. Start out gradually, maybe 10 minutes a day. Then, keep adding time until you reach a point where you feel comfortable. Thirty to 45 minutes per day is an excellent way to get the extra exercise you need. If you want to make it a little more interesting, why not take the family dog with you or invite your friends to walk along, too?
- Get involved in local sport activities. This can be through your school or through community organizations.
- Give up the TV remote for a bicycle. Bike rides can be fun and are an excellent resource for exercise, and they can help reduce stress.
- Aerobic exercise sessions are also good for you. You could enroll in a class offered at a recreation center or purchase an exercise tape.
- Get involved with your family or friends and participate in group activities such as hiking, square dancing, swimming or roller-skating.
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