The Excessive TV-Watching will cause Dementia, Depression and Parkinson’s Disease

In a digital age where screens often dominate our daily lives, a recent study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity offers a thought-provoking insight into the health implications of our viewing habits. This comprehensive analysis, led by Dr. Hanzhang Wu of Tianjin University of Traditional Medicine, China, reveals a concerning correlation between excessive television-watching and an increased risk of dementia, Parkinson's Disease (PD), and depression.

The Study: A Deep Dive into Digital Habits and Health

The research tapped into the UK Biobank, analyzing data from 473,184 individuals aged 39-72 years, followed from 2006 to either a diagnosis of dementia, PD, depression, death, or the study's end. Participants reported their non-work related activities, including exercise, TV-watching, and computer use, alongside undergoing MRI scans to measure brain volume.

The Findings: TV Time and Its Toll

The study's results paint a stark picture: those who indulged in over four hours of TV daily faced a 28% higher risk of dementia, a 35% higher risk of depression, and a 16% greater risk of PD compared to those who watched less than an hour. These figures stand as a cautionary tale against the sedentary lifestyle often associated with excessive TV consumption.

A Silver Lining: Moderate Computer Use

Contrastingly, the study found that moderate computer use (30-60 minutes per day) appeared somewhat protective, lowering the risks for dementia, PD, and depression. This finding challenges the blanket notion that all screen time is detrimental, suggesting that the content and context of digital consumption are key factors.

Exercise: A Vital Substitute

Perhaps most strikingly, replacing just 30 minutes of computer time with structured exercise significantly reduced the risks for dementia and PD. This highlights the immense value of physical activity as a cornerstone of neurological health.

Understanding the Underlying Mechanism

The researchers speculate that the negative impact of prolonged TV-watching might stem from its sedentary nature, which is linked to low-grade inflammation. This inflammation could contribute to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, accelerating the onset of diseases like dementia and PD.

Limitations and Considerations

While the study offers valuable insights, it's crucial to note its reliance on self-reported data, which can be subject to recall bias. Additionally, there may be other confounding variables not accounted for in the research.

The Takeaway: Rethinking Our Screen Habits

This study serves as a wake-up call to reassess our daily routines. It suggests that while moderate, purposeful screen use (like computer work) can be part of a healthy lifestyle, excessive, passive screen time (like prolonged TV-watching) might have dire health implications.

 In Practice: Balancing Screen Time with Active Living

For individuals and healthcare professionals alike, the message is clear: balance is key. Integrating regular physical activity into our routines and being mindful of our screen habits could be crucial steps in safeguarding our neurological health.

As we navigate a world increasingly oriented around digital screens, this study underscores the importance of staying active and engaged in a variety of activities. It's not just about cutting screen time; it's about enhancing our overall lifestyle to nurture our physical and mental well-being.

Intellectual Characters

Throughout history many intellectuals have shown astoundingly high IQ's though this is the case many look to fictional portrayals of intellectuals through TV shows, Movies, Books and Anime instead of nonfictional collections of information about said intellectuals in time. I must admit I am one of those people as I have been fascinated with humans that have high IQ's, but I prefer to see content gathered and utilised within the multitude of innovative creations being brought to life through media.

Accuracy in the portrayal of characters with high IQ's might be hard to justify as anything fictional is just that 'fictional'. In most of my time I have escaped reality and seen much fictional material throughout my life and of such have thought about the many aspects regarding this question quite a bit, in my honest opinion the main issue in portrayal is human diversity which occurs through the many factors in ones life relating to nature and nurture. IQ is only one facet of one's overall intelligence and most portrayals in media reveal a diverse array of personalities stemming from not only IQ but EQ.

Now when you refer to IQ in your question do you mean to disregard or regard to the many other facets of intelligence such as EQ? Either way it is included within the many portrayals in media as they cannot only have an intelligent character whom has a high IQ without showing the many other facets. Now a high IQ is commonly known to be above 160 that is around Einstein's level, and an Intelligence Quotient is: "A number representing a person’s reasoning ability" (measured using problem-solving tests) as compared to the statistical norm or average for their age, taken as 100. According to the definition by - intelligence quotient (the oxford dictionary)

In Conclusion, though there are many portrayals through many mediums and the characters vary in personalities they all have great talents in certain fields, a high IQ helps one become an intellectual genius but does not guarantee success. Because of this vast range of portrayals the best way to discern the way a person with a high IQ thinks and acts is to watch / read a lot of variations to reveal the common attributes and make concise conclusions on the matter.