According to an eight-year-long study by researchers at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, for some people, watching more than three hours of television a day can double the risk of premature death over a few years. Other factors including serious health conditions and poor diet choices were screened from the subject group, which was reportedly comprised of over 13 thousand educated, active Spanish people of normal weight, with an average age of 37.

According to an eight-year-long study by researchers at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, for some people, watching more than three hours of television a day can double the risk of premature death over a few years.

Other factors including serious health conditions and poor diet choices were screened from the subject group, which was reportedly comprised of over 13 thousand educated, active Spanish people of normal weight, with an average age of 37.

Over the course of the study, the subjects reportedly watched less TV than the average American, with an overall average of one point six hours, compared to the two point eight hour average in the US.

Doctor Martinez-Gonzalez from the University of Navarra is quoted as saying: “Our findings suggest adults may consider increasing their physical activity, avoid long sedentary periods, and reduce television watching to no longer than one to two hours each day.”

Results of the study show that for every extra two hours of watching TV, people significantly increased their risk of heart disease by 44 percent, cancer by 21 percent, and death by 55 percent compared to people who only watch an hour or less everyday.