Can Watching Too Much TV Shrink Your Brain?

Television viewing habits in middle age may have lasting effects in later years. A new study found that the amount of time spent watching TV in middle age may be associated with shrinkage in areas of the brain associated with memory and more damage to the white matter in later years. Researchers emphasized that this relationship cannot be explained solely by a sedentary lifestyle and that the type of activity done while sitting may also play a role. The study examined data from approximately 1,700 adults with an average age of 53, who reported how often they watched TV during their leisure time. The study found that those who reported watching TV frequently had lower volumes in areas of the brain associated with memory and more damage to the white matter.