Too much TV adds to risk of diabetes

Each hour spent watching TV increases the chance of developing diabetes by 3.4% in high-risk individuals, research has suggested.

A study carried out in the United States looked at data from more than 3,000 overweight adults participating in a Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP) who were given either a placebo, metformin drug (used for diabetes), or took part in a lifestyle intervention scheme.

Researchers looked at whether, as well as increasing activity levels, the lifestyle intervention also made those taking part spend less time sitting.