warning "sitting: equivalent today to what was smoking"

[::OK::King]

The new medical phrase "sitting equivalent today to what was smoking" is not an exaggeration, says Mayo Clinic Health Letter. While most people do not smoke, everyone sits and many do every day for quite some time. In fact, many US employees sit for 15 hours a day.

 

In the past 15 years, much research has clarified that the act of sitting poses a serious health risk, even among those who are normal weight and exercise regularly. It has been linked to 34 illnesses and chronic conditions with from sitting too. A recent study compared to adults who spend less than two hours a day watching television with those who spend more than four hours to do so. After making adjustments for obesity, age and other risk factors, who spent more time in front of the screen had:

 

* A 52% increased risk of dying during the study period

 

* More than twice the risk of having a cardiovascular event, such as chest pain (angina), heart attack, heart failure and stroke

 

In reviewing the research related to the act of sitting and cancer, a relationship between each increase of two hours a day to sit with found:

 

* An 8% increase in the risk of colon cancer

 

* A 10% increase in the risk of endometrial cancer

 

* A 6% increase in the risk of lung cancer

 

Other research showed that sitting for long time may invalidate some of the health benefits of moderate exercise. One study compared to adults who spend less than one hour a day watching television against those who spend seven or more hours a day watching television. People who watched more television were at 68% greater risk of dying during the study period than those who saw it for the shortest time. The risk of death decreased slightly to 61% in those who watched television for 7 or more hours per day and did moderate exercise for one hour a day. Calculated otherwise, the study authors estimate that sit continuously for an hour nullifies the benefit of 15 minutes of moderate exercise.

 

The studies are preliminary and should be validated to provide a clearer picture of the risks associated with the act of sitting. However, the underlying message is increasingly clear: health is important to exercise daily, but also pay attention while one sits.