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Which Country Has the Most Couch Potatoes?
What's not obvious, however, is just how much TV Americans watch. It's unbelievable really. According to the study, people in the United States watch an average of 8 hours and 11 minutes per day. Crazy! But maybe not so crazy considering Americans have what, 18 televisions per household? They're so cheap, why not? I've got two in my bathroom, three in the living room, seven in the kitchen, and a few in the garage for good measure. Just kidding! I don't have a garage. But seriously ... the only country within reach is Turkey, which came in second with 5 hours of television per day.
Filed under: North America, Turkey, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Lynne Aug 15th 2007 6:11PM
Look at where the article came from -- The Economist. Another excuse for the Brits to remind everybody how fat, lazy and stupid Americans are...
Tony Aug 21st 2007 8:11PM
Well uh hate to break it to ya but.... us Americans, are fat and lazy. Why? Because we have a system under control, so we can relax. Now if youll excuse me but my PS3 is calling my name and the pizza guy will be here soon.
KAWITCAV Aug 21st 2007 8:23PM
FAA-FAT-ASS AMERICANS.GET YOUR BIG GAUNTLET ASSES OFF THE COUCH,AND GO DO SOMETHING,EVEN WALKING IS GOOD,BUT NOT TO MCDONALDS.AND YOU WONDER WHY YOUR KIDS ARE LITTLE FAT-ASSES BEFORE THEY ARE TEN.
Fernando Aug 21st 2007 8:20PM
i play PS3 online for about 5 hours
psn- chaingang54
cphil Aug 21st 2007 8:33PM
Most of these countries are the size of one of our states and therefore only have a fraction of the number of people. It would only make sense that we watch more tv.
John Aug 21st 2007 8:38PM
We can be fat but think WE ARE THE NUMBER ONE WORLD POWER... We are a nation to not mess with, Think THE USA has won every war we been in? and you won how many?! You ask for the USA's help in your wars? And we STILL come to your side. Maybe if your government and president was like ours, then maybe you could relax like us and live the rich life.. not ask other nations to help in something you started and can't win without our help.
tam Aug 21st 2007 8:41PM
Americans are fat & lazy...NOT all of us...but the next time you are out...count how many overweight people you see
Summer Aug 21st 2007 9:04PM
Hm... funny... you would think Japan would come in second...
Lanne Aug 22nd 2007 10:52AM
are we americans really living the "rich lives" while watching other people live their lives on tv? what about going out and creating your own experiences and educating yourself rather than letting your brain turn to mush by watching tv or playing video games all day long. and fyi america has not won every war we have been in and the numbers are an average per person which means that they take the total hours spent divided against the population, therefore the amount of people in a country does not affect the final numbers
peter Aug 21st 2007 8:52PM
Won all Wars????
Not KOREA, Not VIETNAM, Not IRAQ.
lori Aug 21st 2007 9:02PM
We are a fat America. My sister is a size 0 I am a size 14........I do not sit on my couch ever! A lot of different factors come into play for this and any country. We all can stand to get up and get out. All we ever do is talk talk talk about stuff instead of doing. I think that once a week the television should be shut off across America. I believe that is a place to start. Once people get up and move they tend to continue. Some people just need to be pushed more than others. Good Luck America! :)
dc Aug 21st 2007 9:04PM
I just think it is sad that, when reminded about being overwheight, everybody wants to get defensive and name wars other (and surely NOT OVERWEIGHT TV WATCHING AMERICANS) have won, and NO ONE thinks about the HEALTH ISSUES related with it...too uch TV and fast food does not only make you fat, but diabetic, sluggish and it gets to your brain at some point - on top of that, it's a desiease that is spreading around the WORLD, people - so why don't you all start thinking about HOW TO STOP this EPIDEMIC and get Americans (and everyone else for that matter) back in to the kind of SHAPE you expect from a SOLDIER! (By the way, I was a soldier once, and FAT didn't cut it)
Katy Aug 23rd 2007 9:14PM
to cphil: just to clarify. it's the average number of hours of tv an american watches daily. not the total. read, honey. no wonder we americans are seen as the lazy big-headed fat(butts); most of us are.
I am an American and I resent it. now don't attack me because I have 'freedom' of 'speech' and 'of the press' and the 'right to worship God'... please. Freedom is not a gift granted by your government, it is an act of SELF-liberation.
Jillian Aug 21st 2007 9:11PM
Over 8 hours a day?? Don't we Americans have other things to do? Like, for example, work? No wonder why we're being surpassed by China...
Jerry Aug 21st 2007 9:32PM
when the government puts everyone on house arrest what else are we suppose to do!!!!!
pts5711 Aug 21st 2007 9:34PM
HEY AMERICA...FORGET ABOUT SHUTTING OFF THE T.V.,RELAX, AND STILL STAY FIT, IF THATS WHAT YOU CHOOSE, IF NOT..WHOSE DAMN BUSINESS IS IT ANYWAYS?NO ONE PAYS FOR YOUR FOOD BTU YOU , RIGHT? NO ONE PAYS FOR YOUR UNHEALTHY WAYS BUT YOU, RIGHT? WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO KEEP UP WITH HOW MUCH T.V.YOU WATCH OR HOW MANY BURGERS YOU EAT- AFTERALL, THIS IS A FREE AMERICA- RIGHT? LIVE THE WAY YOU WANT-LIFE IS REAL SHORT!!
michelle Aug 21st 2007 9:50PM
In some countries; if you own a tv or even a radio, you pay taxes on it yearly.........
They're just jealous :)
areyouthatstupid? Aug 21st 2007 9:53PM
Most of these countries are the size of one of our states and therefore only have a fraction of the number of people. It would only make sense that we watch more tv.
Posted at 8:33PM on Aug 21st 2007 by cphil
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Holy Crap! Do you not even understand what the word "average" means? It has nothing to do with the size of the country. By your faulty logic, the Chinese would watch the most hours of TV by far. Turn off your television and pick up a remedial math book.
Vicki Aug 21st 2007 10:14PM
pts5711:
Actually, everyone needs to get up off their couches and do something about their health. The more unhealthy people that are out there, the higher the insurance premiums for everybody. I do care how many burgers people shove in their mouths in a day. I can barely afford my insurance. If everyone quit eating so many burgers, quit smoking, and started exercising a little bit, we'd all be better off.
robmclucky Aug 21st 2007 10:18PM
it may be because we're the only country that has tv guide.
the other counties don't know what they're missing!