Hobbies And Interests
Identification
The results of the 2009 American Time Use Survey, which were released in 2010, showed that on average, Americans age 15 and over spent at least 2.8 hours per day watching TV. This accounts for about half of leisure time, notes the BLS.
Significance
According to an American Heart Association study cited by CNN on its website, adults who watched more than four hours of TV per day were 80 percent more likely to die from heart disease. It is not the actual TV watching, but the reduction in physical activity caused by excessive TV watching that leads to health problems such as heart disease and weight gain, according to the study's authors.
Considerations
The Kids' Health website notes that excessive TV watching -- that is, more than two hours per day -- can impact physical and social development in children. They are more likely to be overweight and display aggressive behaviors as a result of viewing violent acts onscreen.