Nisha Pandey

Excessive TV Watching In Midlife May Shrink Brain Areas Essential For Memory, Study Finds

Excessive TV Watching May Shrink Brain Areas Important for Memory, Study Finds

Watching television for long hours can do more than contributing to a sedentary lifestyle. It could also leave a significant impact on the brain.

According to a new study published in Alzheimer's &amp; <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dementia">Dementia</a>: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, people who watched television very often during midlife later showed smaller brain volumes in regions involved in memory and thinking, along with greater signs of damage linked to dementia and stroke.

Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) found that the negative brain changes were unique to passive television viewing and were not simply the result of spending long hours sitting.

<h2>Passive TV Watching Could Negatively Alter Brain Structures</h2>

The researchers studied data from approximately 1,700 adults enrolled in the long-running Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. 

Participants, whose average age was 53 when their television habits were assessed between 1987 and 1989, reported how frequently they watched television and how much of their workday they spent sitting. 

More than two decades later, participants underwent MRI <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/the-golden-hour-in-stroke-why-the-first-60-minutes-can-make-all-the-difference-article-155113996" data-type="tilCustomLink">brain scans</a>.

Compared with people who said they "never" or "seldom" watched television, those who watched TV "very often" had: 

<ul><li>Smaller brain volumes in regions associated with memory formation and early <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/alzheimers-disease">Alzheimer's disease</a>.</li><li>Reduced frontal and occipital lobe volumes.</li><li>Greater white matter hyperintensity volumes, a marker of small blood vessel disease in the brain that is linked to cognitive decline, stroke and <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/whos-new-dementia-guidelines-prioritize-healthy-habits-warn-against-supplements-article-155105783" data-type="tilCustomLink">dementia</a>. </li></ul>

These findings were observed even after researchers accounted for physical activity levels, body mass index, diabetes, smoking and alcohol consumption.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/10000-brain-scans-reveal-why-memory-declines-with-age-challenging-long-held-theory-article-155135705" data-type="tilCustomLink">10,000 Brain Scans Reveal Why Memory Declines With Age, Challenging Long-Held Theory</a>

One of the study's most striking findings was that just sitting for long periods did not produce the same harmful results. 

People who spent long periods sitting at work actually showed larger frontal and occipital brain regions and lower white matter damage, suggesting that mentally engaging sedentary activities may affect the brain differently from passive leisure activities like television viewing. 

Researchers also observed that the associations were observed more in men, although further studies are needed to understand the reason behind. 

"For years we've focused on how much people sit. Our findings suggest we should also pay attention to what they're doing while they're sitting," said David Raichlen, professor of biological sciences and anthropology at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and senior author of the study. 

The Untold Impact of Yoga on Lives and Communities | International Yoga Day 2026

Study corresponding author Natan Feter, a postdoctoral scholar in USC Dornsife's Human and Evolutionary Biology program, said the findings could eventually reshape public health advice. 

He said, "We frequently encourage the public not to spend too much time sitting down, but experts may want to expand that recommendation to encompass the activities done while sitting, since those seem to have distinct impacts on <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/healthy-lifestyle-changes-improve-memory-thinking-in-older-adults-at-dementia-risk-the-lancet-article-155086205" data-type="tilCustomLink">brain health</a>."

The researchers cautioned that the study on television viewing was based on self-reported questionnaires, which may be less accurate than objective tracking. In addition, participants did not undergo brain scans at the beginning of the study, making it difficult to directly measure changes over time.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

excessive-tv-watching-may-shrink-brain-areas-important-for-memory-study-finds

brain

memory

Alzheimer's Disease

Dementia

brain health

memory loss

coffee-is-good-for-the-heart-but-your-choice-of-brew-may-raise-bad-cholesterol-american-heart-association

Coffee Is Good For The Heart, But Your Choice Of Brew May Raise Bad Cholesterol: American Heart Association

alzheimers-drug-leqembi-may-help-over-75-of-patients-remain-stable-or-improve-real-world-study

Alzheimer's Drug Leqembi Helps Over 75% Of Patients Remain Stable Or Improve: Real-World Study

neurological-disorders-emerging-as-indias-next-major-public-health-challenge-say-experts

Neurological Disorders Emerging As India's Next Major Public Health Challenge, Say Experts

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

Watching television for long hours can do more than contributing to a sedentary lifestyle. It could also leave a significant impact on the brain. According to a new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, people who watched television very often during midlife later showed smaller brain volumes in regions involved in memory and thinking, along with greater signs of damage linked to dementia and stroke. Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) found that the negative brain changes were unique to passive television viewing and were not simply the result of spending long hours sitting. Passive TV Watching Could Negatively Alter Brain StructuresThe researchers studied data from approximately 1,700 adults enrolled in the long-running Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Participants, whose average age was 53 when their television habits were assessed between 1987 and 1989, reported how frequently they watched television and how much of their workday they spent sitting. More than two decades later, participants underwent MRI brain scans. Compared with people who said they "never" or "seldom" watched television, those who watched TV "very often" had: Smaller brain volumes in regions associated with memory formation and early Alzheimer's disease.Reduced frontal and occipital lobe volumes.Greater white matter hyperintensity volumes, a marker of small blood vessel disease in the brain that is linked to cognitive decline, stroke and dementia. These findings were observed even after researchers accounted for physical activity levels, body mass index, diabetes, smoking and alcohol consumption.Also read: 10,000 Brain Scans Reveal Why Memory Declines With Age, Challenging Long-Held TheoryMore Harmful Than Just Sitting One of the study's most striking findings was that just sitting for long periods did not produce the same harmful results. People who spent long periods sitting at work actually showed larger frontal and occipital brain regions and lower white matter damage, suggesting that mentally engaging sedentary activities may affect the brain differently from passive leisure activities like television viewing. Researchers also observed that the associations were observed more in men, although further studies are needed to understand the reason behind. "For years we've focused on how much people sit. Our findings suggest we should also pay attention to what they're doing while they're sitting," said David Raichlen, professor of biological sciences and anthropology at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and senior author of the study.       Study corresponding author Natan Feter, a postdoctoral scholar in USC Dornsife's Human and Evolutionary Biology program, said the findings could eventually reshape public health advice. He said, "We frequently encourage the public not to spend too much time sitting down, but experts may want to expand that recommendation to encompass the activities done while sitting, since those seem to have distinct impacts on brain health."The researchers cautioned that the study on television viewing was based on self-reported questionnaires, which may be less accurate than objective tracking. In addition, participants did not undergo brain scans at the beginning of the study, making it difficult to directly measure changes over time.