Step Away from the Television.

We have another reason why you should peel yourself away from the television set: too much TV is associated with high cholesterol levels. Research has proven that the amount of television watched each day can be an indicator of high cholesterol levels. In fact, it was a stronger indicator than a family history of heart attack or a family history of high cholesterol!

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.