The Health Risks of Sitting
That's Right. Sitting 6+ hours per day will raise your chance of dying in the next 15 years by a massive 40%.
And research shows that not even exercise can offset the negative effects of prolonged and regular sitting.
The only solution — Sit less
More dour by the hour...
How many hours a day do you sit?
No Surprise: Sitting makes us fat.
Over the past three decades, exercise rates have stayed about the same, but the time we spend sitting has increased by approximately 10%
Obesity has doubled!
Keep reading to discover some alternatives to sitting.
Length of sit governs size of seat
How overweight are you?
Did you Know sitting can place stress on the neck, shoulders, lumbar region and circulatory vessels?
Stress can lead to pain. Pain increases the production of cortisol in the body. Prolonged higher levels of cortisol in the bloodstream have negative effects;
- Suppressed thyroid function
- Decreased muscle tissue
- Decreased bone density
- Increased abdominal fat
- Higher blood pressure
- Lowered immunity
It's time to take a stand when...
You suffer pain in which area most while sitting at your computer
Those who sit three hours or more per day watching TV are 64% more likely to die from heart disease.
Of those who sit in front of the TV three hours per day, those who exercise are just as overweight as those who don't
Every extra hour over the three spent watching TV, equates to an 11% higher death risk.
Television Poll
How many hours do you watch on average per day
Get off your Butt
In the past it was recommended to do thirty minutes of exercise to offset the effect of sitting.
Now we know that's not the secret.
The secret: eliminate, minimise and interrupt sitting as much as possible.
Even standing increases calorie burn ten times that of sitting
Energising Exercise
What form of exercise appeals to you most
Consider Alternatives to Sitting
The best option, if possible, is to stand rather than sit. Advantages include:
- Reduced stress on the body
- Improved circulatory systems
- Increased muscle mass and tone
- Improved posture
If unable to stand, other options include:
- Purchase an ergonomic seat
- Every hour get active for 15 minutes
- Alternate sitting and standing
Get Proactive
What method of reducing your sitting time will you use?
Top Ergonomic Chairs
The facts of the matter
References
Energy expenditure of non-exercise activity - American Society for Clinical Nutrition
How Many Calories Do You Burn While Walking - Heather Long
Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis - American Heart Association
Sitting straight 'bad for backs' - BBC News
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2014 Richard Parr
