Leeds boffins study FIDGETING… and conclude it’s good for you

The results, which factored in the variables listed above, showed that those who sat for seven hours or more a day had a 30 percent increase in all-cause mortality in those who considered themselves in the low fidgeting group. “I don’t think we are going to train people to fidget for health reasons, but it’s interesting that these small, active movements could be beneficial”.

But a study by scientists at Leeds University and University College London is the first to examine the impact of fidgeting.

However, according to the co-lead author of the study, University of Leeds’ professor at the School of Food Science and Nutrition, Janet Cade said that the research did not establish that the energy burnt from fidgeting was directly responsible for the health benefit and further research into the issue is required. Getting up and moving during sitting hours have previously been shown to improve markers of good health, such as body mass index and your body’s glucose and insulin responses. The survey included questions which measured health behavior, chronic disease, physical activity and fidgeting.

He and Cade noted that even adults who get recommended amounts of exercise can spend up to 15 hours a day sitting down.

In recent years, prolonged sitting has been linked to a long list of detrimental consequences, such as higher risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, depression and muscle or joint problems. 14,000 replies were taken into consideration for this study.

Research suggests the restless movement can counteract the adverse effects of sitting for long periods. The study was based on 35,000 women aged 35 to 69 who are living in the United Kingdom , who completed a questionnaire for a previous study.

Aside from fidgeting, researchers have suggested that people track how long they remain seated for and make an effort to lower it. In some cases, employers have gotten involved in this by offering employees standing desks and endorsed methods of breaking up long periods of sitting.