Sitting not as bad for our health as we think

It might seem as if every day a new study comes out saying sitting is bad or sitting is not so bad, but either way the message remains the same: Make sure you get at least a few exercise every single day.

Future work will consider whether long periods of sitting are associated with increased incidence of diseases such as heart disease and type II diabetes, and will investigate the biological mechanisms that underpin previously observed associations between sitting time and health outcomes. Dr Melvyn Hillsdon, of Exeter, said: “Our study… indicates that the problem lies in the absence of movement rather than the time spent sitting itself”.

“Our findings counsel that lowering sitting time may not be fairly as vital for mortality danger as beforehand publicised and that encouraging folks to be extra lively ought to nonetheless be a public well being precedence”, said lead creator Richard Pulsford, a researcher within the sport and well being sciences division on the College of Exeter.

The research discovered that the overall period of time spent sitting, the period of time spent sitting at work, whereas watching tv, or in different spare time activities, was not related to an elevated danger of mortality from all causes.

Mobility while sitting or standing is the key aspect in a person’s health, the researchers said. The participants disclosed information regarding total sitting time and details of four identified behaviors, which include sitting while working, while on leisure, while watching television and while sitting during recreational time excluding watching television.

Variable factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status and alcohol consumption were also taken into account.

The findings challenge previous research suggesting the act of sitting itself causes harm, even if people are otherwise physically active.

The NHS advised that “remaining seated for too long is bad for your health, regardless of how much exercise you do”. The study says that regular exercise may be able help reduce the health risks associated with prolonged sitting, which include stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Findings of a new study have raised questions against the sit-stand work stations that are growing increasingly. They were also asked how much time they spent moderate to vigorous activity each day, and about the time spent walking each day.