Watching TV, irregular eating habits lead to obesity in young females

Effects of television have been well documented, including violent behaviour, increased obesity.

FAISALABAD: A recent study published by a three-member team of experts of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad found that the more hours spent watching television, the more likely women were to be both fatter and less physically active.

However, the increased fatness could not be explained solely by the differences in physical activity, and the researchers concluded that additional factors, such as changes in eating patterns, unhealthy diet associated with television viewing, played a part in this as well.

The negative effects of television have been well documented, including violent behaviour, decrease in physical activity, increased obesity, and negative impact both on total sleep time and sleep quality, to name just a few.



The research was conducted by Anisa Riaz, Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar, and Dr Ghazanfar Ali Khan on ‘Effects of Media on Development of Eating Disorders in Young Females of Faisalabad’.

The experts said young women should discourage the trend of watching television and eating at the same time as it increases obesity level in young females. While speaking to The Express Tribune, Anisa Riaz said, “Media is not only creating awareness but it is also affecting us in some way or the other.”

She added watching television was not the only factor that leads to excessive weight gain but it also stimulates eating disorders among young women. “The media is creating awareness, changing the lifestyle, attitude, and behaviour but on the other hand, some programmes also create depression and anxiety in adults, particularly in young females,” she said.

She maintained, “In order to discourage the trend, TV shows and advertisements should be launched that encourage use of positive eating habits.” Anisa pointed out paediatricians, dieticians and other people related to healthcare should educate parents and families about eating disorder.



The study revealed that young females wanted to look slim and thinner and this current female fantasy was driven by exposure to runway models, celebrities and magazine shoots. Everybody wanted to look like a supermodel.

Millions of Pakistani women look to the media for affirmation and role models. What many of them find now was an unattainable ideal, one which destroys their self-esteem and makes them miserable, the study stated.

Anisa Riaz said in a bid to curb such negative practices, preference should be given in eating home cooked food, education and awareness level should be increased to familiarise about negative aspects of excessive television watching and there should be better scheduling of time and choosing appropriate programmes for viewing.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2017.