You've probably known a person or two who couldn't tear their eyes away from the television and could sit for hours eagerly absorbing whatever show happened to be the hit of the moment. Sometimes an hour of television would turn into three and the avid television watcher might fall asleep with his eyes still glued to his thirty-two inch screen. Although there's something to be gained from watching selected television shows, the disadvantages of television viewing probably greatly outweigh the limited insight gained from viewing most television shows. Here are some of the disadvantages of watching television:

It Can Cause You To Gain Weight

It's pretty intuitive that spending the evening parked in front of the T.V. doesn't burn a lot deal of calories. In fact, sitting quietly in front of the television set burns a paltry 68 calories per hour. Not exactly a formula for good health and fitness. Combine that with the high calorie snacks most people consume while watching that suspenseful television sit-com and you can see how watching T.V. can quickly pack on the pounds. One smart move not many people make is to exercise while they watch television. If more people parked an exercise bike in front of the T.V. instead of a recliner, the world would be a healthier place.

It Wastes Time

Television watchers should keep a log of the hours they choose to sit in front of the “boob tube”. After they experience the shock of realizing how much time they've wasted, they could then make a list of ways to use that time more productively. Some suggestions might be: spend time with family, friends, and pets; start a part-time business; meditate or pray; play a sport; or pick up a hobby. They just might discover there's more to life than what's happening on the latest reality show. You can bet when people come to the end of their life they don't regret not having watched more T.V.

It Makes You Dumber

To be assured of this, all you have to do is tune in to some of the popular reality shows to witness the dumbing down of America. A study conducted in 2005 and published in the Archives of Adolescent and Pediatric Medicine showed that kids who had their own television set scored lower on mathematics tests. Several other studies have supported this premise. It's important to set a good example for the kids of today by encouraging them to read and engage in the arts rather than park themselves in front of the television set.

It Promotes Passivity

Television allows its audiences to live vicariously through the situations and lives of fictional characters. It's far easier for a television viewer to experience the thrill of a television character's success than it is to go out and create success on their own terms. This is particularly detrimental to children and teenagers who need to develop a strong sense of self and a purpose in life. Television encourages passivity.

There's no doubt that television view does have its benefits if carefully selected programs are viewed. It's a way to stay informed about what's happening in the world. Plus, there are variety of channels that offer educational programming where you learn new skills ranging from cooking to crafts. The trick is to not let television overtake your life or the life of your family to the exclusion of other more important activities. Let television be a treat rather than a daily ritual.