If you’re reading this sitting down, then stand up. It could save your life.
Women who sit for more than six hours daily are around 40 per cent more likely to die than those sitting for less than three hours a day, a study said.
The figure was about 20 per cent for men, according to American Cancer Society researchers who looked at 123,000 people's health over 14 years
Extended periods of sitting down increases risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression and obesity, the study said.
"Sitting down 'raises death risk by as much as 40% and is NOT countered by exercise'"
ReplyDeleteby Mark Duell
People who have a desk-bound job have almost twice the risk of developing a type of colon cancer, reported CNN.
ReplyDeleteAnd sitting for extending periods of time can do significant damage to your health that cannot be reversed by exercising, the study said.
This revelation in the American Journal of Epidemiology puts sitting down for extended periods of time in the same bracket as smoking.
The American Cancer Society is concerned that public health guidelines do not say enough about time spent sitting down.
Government exercise recommendations suggest at least 30 minutes on five days per week of ‘moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity’.
They also say 20 minutes of ‘vigorous-intensity’ activity for at least 20 minutes on three days per week would produce similar benefits.
Some workplaces are trying to combat the health problems of sitting down by installing low-speed treadmill desks, reported CNN.
Diabetes experts point out that sitting is not bad for us in moderation but can be addictive and harmful in the long-run.