Author: Maryam Ayres
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Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Consumption of fatty foods in front of the TV in combination with smoking and alcohol use shortens life by 12 years, an international team of scientists has calculated.
Constantly watching TV, eating chips and fatty foods, can shorten life by 12 years, according to a new large-scale study by an international team of scientists. Smoking and drinking are not as harmful as eating empty calories in front of the TV, experts explain.
The study began in the 1980s with 5,000 volunteers who have a habit of smoking, drinking or eating unhealthily.
Volunteers are tasked with eating fruits and vegetables three times a day and exercising for at least two hours a week.
Twenty years after the study began, researchers at the universities of Glasgow, Southampton and Oslo compared the data of volunteers in order to calculate the impact of defects on health, both individually and in general.
People who combine smoking or drinking with unhealthy eating in front of the TV are much more prone to cardiovascular disease and premature death, the researchers found.
As this way of life is widespread among people, experts warn of the need to develop more effective methods to stimulate healthy eating habits and physical activity, which will become a top priority of public health.