Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
08 April 2015 09:58
Too much time sat in front of the box can lead to diabetes, researchers warn
People at a high risk of developing diabetes are 3.4% more likely to get it for every hour in the day they spend sitting in front of their TV set, according to a new study.
US researchers examined the information gleaned from 3,000 participants in a Diabetes Prevention Programme.
Lifestyle intervention
Some of the overweight adults were given a diabetes drug (metformin), while others took a placebo or were involved in a lifestyle intervention programme.
Diabetes sufferers who are travelling abroad can make sure the treatment they need overseas is covered by investing in diabetes travel insurance.
Before they took part in the new study, the adults said they would watch TV for two hours and 20 minutes on average.
Those who took the placebo spent nine minutes less in front of the box, while those on metformin watched six minutes less TV per week, the researchers found.
They expected the adults that took part in the lifestyle intervention scheme to spend less time sat down watching TV, and this was indeed the case, by 37 minutes on average.
Sedentary behaviour
The sedentary behaviour of all the participants made them 3.4% more likely to develop diabetes for every hour they spent watching television per day.
This was the figure recorded after various adjustments were made, depending on the sex of those who took part, how old they were, how much physical activity they did, and any lifestyle interventions.
The researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania said encouraging people to watch less TV while sat down and do more physical exercise should be included in intervention programmes.
And they believe the effect sitting down has on body weight may have an effect on the link with diabetes.
Dr Andrea Kriska, the senior author of the study published in the Diabetologia journal, says intervention schemes should concentrate on getting people to sit down less, as well as doing exercise.
14 July 2018
Too many passengers heading abroad this summer will be travelling without adequate protection for when an airline goes bust, a new study has shown.
[more...]
13 July 2018
The mother of Bradley Lowery has welcomed the news that a drug used to help treat her son will soon be made available for other patients on the NHS.
12 July 2018
British GPs have prevented thousands of strokes after learning how to better identify and treat a common heart condition, research has shown.
11 July 2018
London City Airport is considering lodging an application to increase flight and passenger numbers, its boss has revealed.
10 July 2018
Captain Harry Kane is leading England's unexpected bid for glory, and is hoping to inspire the next generation of footballers by going all the way in Russia.
07 July 2018
Experts have warned that a lack of rigorous testing of skin cancer detection apps is putting the public at risk.
06 July 2018
Easyjet has added to worries that travellers are set for a summer of chaos, revealing that nearly 1,300 flights were cancelled last month.
05 July 2018
Soaring temperatures across the UK have led to a surge of asthma sufferers calling a dedicated asthma helpline, a charity has revealed.
04 July 2018
Strikes across Europe led Ryanair to cancel over 1,000 flights in June, the budget airline has revealed.
03 July 2018
Sarcoma cancer is "more common than previously thought" with 15 people in the UK diagnosed with the illness every day, a charity has warned.
30 June 2018
The UK is set to scorch this weekend as the heatwave continues and temperatures stay well in the 30s.
29 June 2018
Passengers travelling to Heathrow this summer could continue to face lengthy queues, a top Home Office official has warned.